Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-05-06
Official Text of Note Does Not
Change Attitude Against
Immediate Break.
MAY MAKE SHORT REPLY
ACCEPTING NEW PLEDGE
Berlin Would Be Told Future Re-
lations Depended on Subma-
rine Commanders.

Tho of,cial text Of Germsny's nota.
fully decoded and laid before Presi-
dent Wilson today. shows no material
differences from the unofficial text pub
lished yesterday in news dispatches.
This strengthens the probability that
a diplomatic break has been averted.
at least for the present
Overnight study of the note by cabi-
net members and officials did not
change their view that probably there
would be no break in diplomatic rela-
tions unless there were further attacks
in violation OF international law.
May Make Brief Reply.
There is possibility that the United
States may make brief reply notify
ing the Berlin government that as long
as the new orders to submarine COM
mapders are fully observed diplomatic
relations will not be discontinued on
that score.
Secretary Lansing already has studied
the note once and was going over IL
very carefully again today. There were
indications that further consideration
by the cabinet would not be necessary.
Count Won Bernstorn, the German am
bassador, returned to the embassy to-
day from New York. He said he had
no communication from his govern
ment and had no reason to visit the
State Department in connection with
the note unless he were invited or in
structed by his government to do so
The embassy view that the note was
all the United States asked remained
unchanged.
Cabinet Members Quit City.
Several members of the cabinet have
left Washington and are not expected
back before Monday. Secretary Lansing
has gone to Annapolis for the week
end, Secretary Baker is in Cleveland
and Postmaster General Burleson is on
short fishing trip.
President Wilson is described by those
close about him as being in a position
where he cannot question the good
faith of Germanys assurances, which
must stand or fall by the future con-
duct of her submarine commanders.
Administration officials stated that
Germany doubtless would be given
chance to demonstrate her assurances
that submarine commanders will not
sink merchant vessels without warn
ing.
View of German Embassy.
The German embassy view is that the
note gives all President Wilson asked
for: that it signalizes a return to
CRUISER warfare"-the of sub
marines as regular naval cruisers inter-
ceptiug commerce with visit and search
and that inasmuch as it makes no
mention of the armed ship question
that perpleXing feature of the con-
troversy is not involved.
Much interest was apparent today
among officials on editorial opinions of
the German note. Many of these sus.
gested the reply should be considered
satisfactory pending the result OF
Germany's promise Ito do its utmost
to confine operations of the war for
the rest of its duration to the fighting
forces of the ,belligerents. Others
suggested that diplomatic break
would be advisable They pointed par.
Germany to qualify the submarine as
surances by conditions concerning the
conduct of British naval warfare
Interested in Peace Hint.
President Wilson read today with care
full attention the portion OF the note
touching peace. Some officials be
lieved unusual significance should be al
tached to that part of the note because
it was taken to indicate officially that re-
cent speeches of Chancellor Won Beth
mann-Hollweg before the relchstag were
intended as notices to the world that Ger
many was ready for peace on certain
terms.
The note says the German govern
ment. conscious of Germanys strength.
twice within the last few months an
nounced before the world Its readiness
to make peace on a. basis safeguarding
Germany's vital interests, thus indicat-
ing IL is not Germany's fault il peace
is still withheld from the nations Of
While it was indicated today that
President Wilson would make no
further peace moves until the allied
have signified their will
ingness to receive suggestions on the
subject some officials thought today
the German note might possibly draw
forth something from the allies. :