New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-11-01
q. o. p. Leaders Call
Denial of Charge
"TechniCal"
WILL SAY MORE
WITHIN 48 HOURS
Intimate weasel" Note
Was To Be Sent to
Gerard

The Republican National Committee
processes to have proof OF the real
facts in the Lusitania note controversy.
The promise is made that an interest
ing statement will be issued within
forty eight hours unless the full story
is told by President Wilson or one of
his Cabinet.
Everything that was officially said
TO the German government may be
matter of record, as President wilson
declared in his denial yesterday that
there was postscript" to the second
Lusitania note, but what was proposed
TO be done to the note or TO be sent to
AMBASSADOR Gerard? That was the
question that Chairman William K.
Wilcox and other Republican leaders
were asking yesterday. There is one
man, ex-Secretary Of War Lindley NJ.
Garrison, who, they believe, could tell
the whole truth about the matter. They
are waiting for him to speak.
Wilcox Demands Facts
Chairman Wilcox issued a statement
last night putting it squareiy up to the
President or Mr.. Garrison to give the
public their full confidence in the mat
ter. Mr.. Wilcox maintained that the
Presidents answer to Senator Lodges
charge was not frank, merely technical
and unconvincing. The Republican
leaders would rather "smoke out the
other side than have to tell the story
themselves. They appear to feel Sc
cure in that position and indicate that
there is available proof that the Presi-
dent actually approved weasel post
script or an order to Ambassador Ge-
rard which would have drawn the teeth
from the Lusitania note and let the
Germans know that it was really in
tended for home consumption.
at is time for frankneSs and hon
esty. and not for technical details and
concealment," said Chairman Wilcox
last night.
Evidently Something Happened
at must be evident to every one now
that something of seriously important
nature was written or done or approved
by the President in tnat conection. One
of Senator Lodges informants describes
the additional writing as postscript
The President declares that no post
script was written. The Presidents
sticking for exact use of words makes
i. necessary for me to ask what was
written? If not poscript, what was
il. part Of the original draft, an amend
ment suggested afterward, supple
mental instruction to Ambassador Ger
ard, or what? There surely was some
thing. The President asserts that, the
public is in possession of everything
that was said to the German govern
ment.' So far as l know, no one has
contended to the contrary. 1t is not
question of what was sent to the Ger
man government, but of what IT was
proposed to do to the note or to send to
Gerard. The President denies a charge
that was never made.
"Mr. Breckenridge, cited as authority
by the informant of Senator Lodge,
cries. 'scoundrel and SNEAK and bursts
into a stump speech in support Of Mr..
Wilson, but does not deny that he told
the very story related to Senator Lodge.
"Mr. Tumulty, who was also reported
TO have been active in the effort 70 pre-
vent the writing, whatever II was, from
becoming effective, makes similarly
technical and unconyincing denial.
Owes People the Truth
"Some action was certainly taken at
that time with some such intent as re-
ported. Why does not the President
come forward frankly and take the peo-
nile into his confidence? Why does he
content himself with a mere technical
denial of charges, some of which were
never made? Why does he not make
uublic the whole transaction and let the
people have the full and complete in
formation to which they are absolutely
entitled about their own business?
"The President is now appealing 20
the electorate for reelection as a mark
OF national confidence and approval Of
his conduct of national affairs. 1t is
Of supreme Importance that ne shall
Justify the confidence he asks by tell
ing the whole truth about this critical
affair without technicalities or limita-
tions." ..,
Chairman Wilcox will be ready with
further queries within the next forty
eight hours. If the Republicans are
able TO show that President Wilson
actually approved a "weasel" supple
Continued on page 4. column