The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-05-07
President viii Not Even Talk
until He Sees How the
New Orders Work.
WILSON TO STUDY TEXT
Count Won Bernstorff May Be
Invited to See Lansing in
a Few Days.

WASHINGTON. May G. - The
probability that diplomatic break
with Germany has been averted, at
least temporarily, was strengthened
today, when the official text of the
German note. laid before President
Wilson and Secretary Lansing was
found TO be almost Identical with the
unofficial version sent to the United
States In press dispatches. oflcials
had indicated that should the official
text bear out the unofficial version.
they thought II improbable diplo-
matte relations would have to be sew
cred. unless there should be further
attacks upon merchant ships In vio-
lation OF new pledges given. Dlsap.
pointment has been indicated over
certain features OF the German reply
and some high officials believe that IL
nt leaat cannot be accepted uncondi-
tionally. The president and Secre-
tary Lansing studied the text CAREFUL
~ today. going very minutely into the
phraseology and the shades of mean
ing that might be attached to various
expressions.
Opinion as to whether the note re-
qulres IN answer seems divided. De-
cislon rests with the president and
until he has made UP his mind, II is
unlikely that an official expression
of opinion will be forthcoming. So
far he has not indicated to anyone
his final Judgment In the matter. It
Is entirely possible that no renly will
be sent for the present ae least.
and that the president will maintain
complete silence for time. al
her own behalf the good faith of her
Intention to carry out the policy indt-
Gated in her new orders to submarine
commanders. Although the president
realizes that the promises given are
the cardinal elements Of the note.
he Is understood to be displeased
over the language used and the con-
Gitions apparently attached. Should
the note be accepted as satisfactory
and reply sent, 1t is expected to
take the form of notification to
Germany that the United States has
decided not to sever diplomatic re-
lations as long as the new submarine
orders remain effective and are OBJ
served.
Several members OF the cabinet
we're not in Washington today. Sec
retary Lansing left tonight to spend
q week end at Annapolis, taking with
him one official copy OF the German
note. He expects to have fully d.
gested its statements by the time of
his return Monday. The only indica-
tion regarding the personal attitude
Of President Wilson was obtained to-
day, from persons close to affairs OF
the White House who declared him
he could not question Germany's good
faith, unless the declaration made by
the German government should not
prove effective. Count Won Bernstorf,
the German ambassador, returned to
Washington today from New York.
lie said he had no instructions from
his government TO discuss the situa-
tion with Secretary Lansing and that
he did not intend to go to the state
department unless he should be so
instructed by Berlin or Secretary
Lansing should invite him to call.
Officials would not be surprised II the
ambassador should be instructed to
call upon Secretary Lansing next
week after he and President Wilson
have had sufficient time in which to
reach conclusions.
The official text OF the German note
was made public today by the state
department. Ambassador Gerard, in
transmitting the document, said he
had received copies in both German
and English. probably accounting for
the fact OF the Official and the unofic-
ial versions being SO nearly identical,
q slight difference In the text occurs
In that paragraph where the unofficial
Continued on page 9, first section.)