The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-05-05
GERMAN NOTE IN
DETAIL ON PAGE z

Berlin. May Germany has yield
ed practically every demand made by
President Wilson in his note demand
ing complete change of Germany's
methods of submarine warfare 1t is
conceded in Germany's reply, made
public here today.
Every possibility of diplomatic
break between the two countries has
apparently been averted.
Germany's complete backdown,
however, is made conditional on the
success of efforts it urges the United
States to make to force Great Britain
to observe fully the principles of in
ternational law.
should the steps taken by the gov
ernment of the United States (to force
England to alter her conduct of war;
not attain the object it desires-to
have the laws of humanity followed
bv the belligerent nations-the Ger
man government would then be facing
a new situation in which it must re-
serve for itself comrlete liberty of de-
cfsion." said the concluding parag agraph
of the reply
Sink None Without Warning.
Germany comedies fully President
Wilson's contention that in the future
no merchant vessel, whether freight
or passenger shall be sunk without
warning either within or without the
war zone around the British Isles, un-
less they offer resistance or attempt
escape. President Wilson already had
conceded the right of submarines to
sink ships under such conditions.
German submarine commanders al
ready have received new orders meet
ing in full the demands made by Pres
ident Wilson. The German govern
ment expresses complete confidence
that these orders will be executed in
good faith by German submarine COM
manders.
Germany refuses to admit RESPONSE
bility for the DANA ging of the channel
liner Sussex but declares that, should
further investigation show the Sussex
was a submarine victim, Germany will
make full amends.
Berlin Calls 1t Back Down.
Germany's backdown is preceded by
2 sharp arraignment of the United
States government. This arraignment
is based largely on the charge that
the United States has failed to bring
Great Britain to book for violations of
international law as outrageous as
those charged against Germany s
ma val forces.
The text of the note was given out
for publication here today at the same
npuf IL was WlGeleSSeO TO the OnlteQ
States
Cabinet Has Long Session.
Washington, May SIN a session
of the cabinet which lasted nearly
two and a half hours. President Will
son considered with his advisers the
unofficial text of the German reply to
the United States submarine demands
At the end of the meeting there was
no question the situation was viewed
with optimism.
No official announcement could be
expeced frCm the White House, it was
said. until the president received the
official eeXt from Ambassador Gerard
This began arriving in cOde by cable
today 1t is coming very slowly and
VIII require frcm five to six hours to
decode
The final decision of the president
is not expected. therefore, before late
tomorrow
Reply Looks Coed.
Cabinet members refused to discuss
the situation in any way. 1t was indi-
Gated, however, that there was strong
hope of a satisfactory settlement
based on the communication. It was
said no special session of the cabinet
will be necessary ard Postmaster
Burleson said he was going fishing
The president himself read the note
to the meeting and a long and earnest
discussion of its contents followed.
Sudden Change Confusing.
Within ten minutes after the final
and vital-paragraph of the Ger
man reply to Americas submarine
warfare demands had reached Wash