Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-05-06
DECIDED Version of Official
Copy Goes to President
Wilson To-Day.
lCCEPT ASSURANCES '
IF BOTH ARE SIMILAR
Will Await Evidence of .Berlin's
Abandonment of Practices of
Submarine Warfare.
REACH DECISION NEXT WEEK
gressmen, Who Quietly Read
Document.

~
WASHINGTON. May sc; erma,ny.s
note has postponed, II it actually has
not avertcd. a diplomatic break with
the United States.
President Wilson will make the de-
cision after he has read the Official
text. which reached the state Depart
ment late to-day ny cable from Ambas-
sador Gerard from Berlin. 1t will be
decoded in time to lay it before tho
President tomorrow.
1t was stated authoritatively after
the Cabinet meeting to-day that IL the
Official text bore out the unofT1cial YER
sion transmitted in to-day,s Berlins
news dispa tches. Gcrmany's assurances
undoubtedly would be accepted. and
before taking another step the United
states would, await the fulhllment OF
her latest promises.
In such case the United States might
not reply to the note. and would await
evidence OF the actual ABANDONMENT of
y crmany,s present .spraetises of SUBJ
marine warfare, which is declared.
President wilson'is described by those
close about him as being in position
where he cannot question the good
faith OF Germany's assurances, which
must stand OF fall by the future con-
duet OF her submarine commanders.
ARMED SHIT QUESTION
Is NOT INVOLVED
The German emha sSy view is that the
note gives all that President Wilson
asked for: that it signalizes a return
TO cruiser warfare"-the use OF sub
marines regular naval cruisers in
tercepting commerce with visit and
search. and that inasmuch as it makes
no mention OF the armed ship question.
that perpleNing feature or the contro-
rersy is not involved.
Congress took the note quietly. and.
although members expressed variety
OF views. the general sentiment seemed
TO he in favor of leaving the situation
in the hands Of President Wilson.
Cabinet members went over tho
unofficial text carefully with the Presi-
dent. and while they uniformly refused
to discuss it, they reflected the view
that a break had been arerted: that
Germany's new assurances would be
accorded the test OF time. notpithstand-
ing the reference to the action Ger
many eXpeots the United States TO take
against Great Rritain's restraints on
neutral. trade.
They expressed this view with full
realization OF the differences OF opin
ion on what constitutes peaceful
merchant ship entitled to the protee-
tion Of international law and of the
Presidents steadfast determination not
to permit the controversies OF the
United States with one OF the bellg-
erents to become entangled with those
uf another
"DIsCiSION RESERvED"
UNTIL ENGLAND ACTS
The United States only recently, de-
clarng' its views on the right OF mer-
chant ships on the high seas. recognized
and provided for the condition under
which Germany charges merchant ships.
by orders OF the British admiralty.
actually are acting as naval war ves-
sells in attacking submarines.
Germany i'll her note reserves COM
plete liberty OF decision" should the
United States fail to prevail upon Great
Britain to bring her practices into con-
formity with International law. The
official view is that the United States
for some time has been, and now Is,
conducting diplomatic correspondence
With Great Britain on that subject.
sotiations and Germany'S consequent
action must necessarily remain for the
future.
The United States does not know
how Germamy's new instructions to sub
marine commanders compare with
previous instructions. Secretary Lam
sing stated to-day that II was possible
the state Department might ask for
Official copies of the old orders.
The newest orders. however. appar-
emily are regarded as meeting the
Presidents demand for declar ration OF
an abandonment of the present prac-
tices OF submarine warfare, Omciais
seemed agreed that the Presidents de-
mand that Germany also effect" such
An abandonment only could be an
swered by time.
WILL REACH NO DECISION
UNTIL NgxT WEEK
Under such circumstances one set of
oniciats feel the threatened break will
not come at this time; another sst Is
convinced that Germany's apparent d. 3
termination to make the fuiatinsenk OF
he. premises cenaitiesal upon tAs ste $.
cess OF the Presidents negotiations