Evening star., 1915-06-10
NOTE TO GERMANY
MAKES SOLE ISSUE
Of SAFETY At SEA
Continued from First Page.)


discuss its details, but 1t was declared
1t was no more in the nature Of an
ultimatum than was the last note. The
note makes it very plainly. however,
! that the United States expects that
Germany shall cease attacks on Ameri-
can ships and citizens.
Discuss Effect Of Resignation.
There continued to be serious dis
cussion among high officials today as to
| the effect the resignation of Secretary
Bryan will have upon the course Ger
| many will follow after the receipt OF
the rejolnder of President Wilson.
/ Opinion was strongly divided between
two vfews-one that Mr.. Bryan's ac-
tion would emphasize to Germany the
serious purpose of President Wilson to
| insist upon straight answer to his
demands, and the other that German
authorities will falsely reach the con-
clusion that the United States is badly
divided and will not stand back of the
Presidents demands.
1t was recalled today that nearly all
German writer's and high officials. men
OF the stamp of Count Won Reventlow,
hold that there is too much sympathy
for Germany in this country to permit
united backing for any aggressive at
| titude toward that nation.
nope 0eIuauy WILL " OuuefSIduo.
Mr.. Bryan's retirement may be taken
by the Germans as further evidence
that their views are absolutely cor
| rect. thus inducing German officials to
treat the second note Of the President
| in manner more or less contemptu-
| GUS. For the sake Of this country and
peace. for which Mr. Bryan Is striv-
ing. 1t Is the hope Of high officials
that Germany will realize the truth
and understand that President Wilson
| limit to back up his demands.
Should the Germans take this hoped
for view a satisfactory settlement Of
the differences Is regarded as sure, but
| support Of President Wilson is likely.
| It Ia prophesied. to lead to a prompt
severance Of diplomatic relations with
Germany.
Public Gets Note Tomorrow.
It was expected that Ambassador
Gerard would present the communica-
ton Immediately to the German foreign
| office. It will be given out tonight for
! publication in tomorrow mornings pa
pers. In the meantime. President Will
| son has asked that detailed forecasts OF
the note be not published.
! It Is understood here that the German
government will not make answer to
the American note until after Meyer
Gerhard, the special envoy chosen by
Count Won Bernstori, the German am
bassador. to outline the American point
of view to the government at Berlin.
arrives and explains the situation.
This, it Is estimated. will take at least
| a week or ten days.
The latest note. though couched in
friendly tones. reiterates firmly the de-
mand for reparation, TO. the ne. i; loss s,n OF 7
Of the Lusitania and sets forth clearly
the earnest desire Of the American
government that Germany signify her
early adherence to the principles OF in
ternational law-that neutrals be per-
mitted to travel on unarmed ships
without being subject to the dangers
Of submarine warfare.
President Wilson last night took an
unusually long automobile ride with
members Of his family. He returned to
the White House after IL o'clock. much
refreshed by the outing.
Cabinet Support Now Solid.
As the an-important document on
which President Wilson and his advisers
have worked for ten days went forth It
had behind It the united support OF the
cabinet. The one man who had opposed
its terms because he believed 1t might
precipitate war-William Jennings Bryan
had resigned the portfolio Of Secretary
Of State at the moment the note was
dispatched.
The statement issued yesterday by Mr..
Bryan revealed that President Wilson
had rejected his suggestions for an In
vestigation by commission for years
time of the legal phases Of the dispute
with Germany during which Americans
should, according to Mr.. Bryan's view.
be warned against taking passage on any
belligerent ships or on American vessels
carrying ammunition
on the statement. but the text of the
note, 1t was stated, would outline fully
the position of the President and the
cabinet.
The President stands unalterably, it
was stated. on the principle that the
United States at this stage in its his
tory cannot afford to surrender any Of
its rights; that the American people
the high seas, and could not sacrifice
those rights with the nations rise and
growth to a position of command as a
world power.
Deem It a Surrender.
High officials generally held the view
that Mr.. Bryan's statement constituted
a virtual surrender of American rights
guaranteed not only by international
law, Out ny SpcCllC lICdliSo oSt"SSA
the United States and Germany.
Mr.. Bryan's suggestion that Ameri-
cans do not take passage on American
ships carrying ammunition was in d.
rect conflict, it was pointed out. with
the treaty Of 1928 between Prussia and
the United States, wherein either party
in time of war Is given the right to
free access to belligerent ports for
commerce in arms and ammunition and
Moreover. the right of an American
citizen to sail on an unarmed and un-
resisting merchant ship of any nation
ality in time of war is held by the
President and his advisers to be an
inalienable privilege founded on the
international law of centuries.
The Presidents view is understood
to be that new weapon of offense in
warfare can be introduced only II 1t is
made to conform with the generally
established rules of international law
existing. The condition of war may
change, he has said, but not the rules
of war unless there is a general agree
ment among the nations which con:
tributed to the making Of international
law.
Must Safeguard Lives.
Mr.. Wilson, 1t became known, is not
opposed to the idea of an investiga-
ton or diplomatic discussion of cases
in dispute between Germany and the
United States, but feels that before
such a step can be taken some guar
antee must be given that in the interim
-