The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-05-31
= .'tted on United States soil since

= - .
! var began.
~ sgarding the Cushing and Gulflight
cases it will be made very plain that
until the German reply was received
the United States had not been able
to credit the suggestion that the SUBJ
marine commander and Zeppelin Off,
GERS who attacked these ships did SO
with the German governments sane.
tiqn.
The governments expressions Of re-
gret for thees particular occurrences
and offer of arbitration, are not ex-
pected to have any weight in the
American reply AS matter of fact
it is believed that the president will
make it evident that the German pat
ronizing attitude in dealing with these
cases is bitterly resented.
The United States it is believed, is
in duty bound to make a complete an
/, swer to the German note, but 1t was
also thought the president will expe-
dite and so express himself as to
make it clear to Germany that the
United States cannot tolerate ,quib-
bling. l
The president is expected to take
Germany's Lusitania's claims up, and
reply to each specifically. Then he
will 1t is believed, fatty declare that
even if some of the German conten-
tfons were true, under all rules, of in
ternational law and humanity the ves-
sci should not have been sunk before
she had been visited; the fact estab-
lished that she actually was an enemy
ship. under the law, and then provi-
sion made for her crew and her pas
sengers' escape.
The president is determined not
| only to secure reparatlon for the lis
! American victims Of the Lusitania, but
| he is also adamant in his determine
| ton to secure assurances OF respect
for American rights in the future.
! Germany is to be told this in unmis-
\ taxable language Those who profess
| to know the presidents own mind de-
clare that he feels very strongly on
this and is ready to break off diplo-
matte relations with Germany If the
imperial government insists on main:
tanning a defiant attitude and refuses
| to recognize that American honor Is
involved in the present negotiations.
1t. was considered significant that
! the president should be considering
the German note on the one day in
the year when the memories of the
victims of the nations greatest war
were being hoIiored. Above the white
house. where the chief executive was
secluded in the study that was occu-
pied by President Lincoln during the
stormy days from 1860 to 1865, the
stars and stripes fluttered today at
half staff, mute evidence that the ma
tons dead had not been forgcttn.
Later in the day in historic Airing
-s,&t- H.
sluggish Potomac. the president and
Secretary Bryan are scheduled to ad-
dress survivors of two wars. The
who wore the blue and those who
the cemetery. The occasion was the
annual memorial day services under
the auspices Of the Grand Army of the
District of Columbia v
Secretary Bryan's engagement was
in the new part, where the victims of
Americas last war rapose. the occa-
sion being the dedication Of the
Maine monument. of which q striking
feature is the mast and fighting top
of the illfated Maine whose destruc-
ton in Havana harbor early in 1898,
precipitated hostilities with Spain.
Although no one but the president
knew precisely what the program was
to be. should Germany maintain her
present attitude. speculation was rife
in official and diplomatic quarters.
The presidents powers are Of
course limited. He cannot declare
war, but lie has the power. should
Germany refuse to accept the Ameri-
can viewpoint, to recall Ambassador
Gerard from Berlin, thus indicating
that the United States considers that
Germany's position makes. continua-
ton of diplomatic relations unwar-
ranted.
1t was stated on excellent authority
today that the president has not map
ped out complete program. There
Is still some hope that Germany will
make the concessions called for. If
not. a break must come.
! The first step, IL diplomatic rela-
tons are severed, wild probably be
the calling of congress together in
special session. The United States
will not declare war on Germany, Off
cials says. but all seemed satisfied
that, If we break Off diplomatic rela-
tions, Germany will be quick in re-
prisal, at once including American
shipping in the scope Of her subma-
rine warfare.
The big task that would confront
the United States If break with Ger
many came, would be the financing
of some of Germany's present and
prospective foes Russia and France
both need large supplies of cash. The
United States was never in such ex-
cellent condition, so far as finances
are concerned. There has been bill
/, lion dollar trade balance created as a
result of the war. The outstanding ma
tiona1 debt is comparatively small A
, war loan would ta popular. as many
people have idle cash awaiting invest
ment. With the government sanction