Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-05-06

ana mas heen chara'~terlzed by delay,
evasion and more tSan once has
where the long expected break seemed
unavoidable. All along, Prevalent VII.
son has spoken primarily fov the in
Niolaoi. rights OF Americans. and SEN
orally for the rights O. 5cutrals
Germany %5S been restrained hy A
powerful public sentiment aroused
against cur,silinE tho effectiveness. Of
her best weapon against her enemics.
and President Wilson has been en-
harrasScd first hy disscnsion IN he
pro-C;crman propa sanda conduct cd
throughout the United states
Submarine warfare did not actually
enter the realm Of diplomacy until
after the destruction of the Lusitania.
The accumulation Of cases affecting
americans was taken un in the first
note 10 Germany. which was dispatch
Cd May -, 1915
1t characterized IN, attacks on The
falaba. Cushing. ,;ultii-ht aud Lust
tania As Il series Of events which tho
United States has observed with grow
ING concern. distress and amaHcmcn,' -
u pointed TO ,icrnrany's hitherto ex-
pressed humane and enlightened atti-
'ude IN matters ~ international right.
and expressed the hope submarine com
mnnders engaged il torpedoiue pencc-
III! ships without warning we're in such
"rdctice operating without the sane
tinr Of their government The MOI.
closed With these words:
RIGHT TO GUARD INTERESTS
ADMITTED ny GERMANY
The imperial German government
VIII not expect the government OF tho
United States to omit any word or act
necessary 10 tho performance OF its sa-
cred duty OF maintaining III. rights OF
the United States and us ci'.aeus and
~ Ear~
enjoyment
On MAY IS. 1919. ,iermany ren.iel
with mote which covered a wide
range or argument and was III every
resrect unsatisfaciory Il alleged that
the L.usitdnia had masked guns aboard
hat she III effect Was "a British auXil-
iary cruiser. that she carried ,nuni-
tons OF war: that hcr owning COMPANY
aware OF the dangers she risked in the
submarine war conc. was in reality
"csponsihlc for tho loss Of American
lives. and referred 10 tn" fact that the
British admiralty had offered large re-
wards Ia liner captains who rammea
or destroyed submarines
Tive note met none ~ the contentious
OF She United States 80 far as TN. I.usi.
iAnia and Falaba sinking were cor
ccrncd although n supplementary note
l.te' did acknowledge that Germany
was wrong III tive attack, or the ,.ush-
r"r those two cases and promises 20
uSl damage.
While the American reply 10 the note
Wa being tanned, discussion i'm, the
cabinet resulted in the resignation OF
. Sc'retar! Ery.n who contcndcJ for 4
policy Of warning Americans on bel
(sErcn; ships lie resigned because
n" thought n. couln not sign the mex,
note - Germany. which he feared
would lead the United States into war
Secretary Lansing TOOK once as Mr..
ErN&n.s successor aud his reply to the
German note took issue with every
contention Germany had set up n the
/ talsbd and Lusitana eases denied
hatiy tho c"ntehtion that the i.usitan.a
=" IS armed Of Was to he treated as
( other than peaceful merchant shin.
I tnd reminded Germany tina. 1t was the
ivy OF IN" United states 10 speak
With solemn emphasis Ia sail the at
/ trnton 90 tho imperial German gov
eminent I" Tho gray. responsibility
I "h!ch the government Of the Uni,cd
states r"nrcivcs that i; has !nclrred
I ~ this tragic occurrence. and :" the
'niIsrniah'r principle upon which that
""SNonSibiii;y rests.
:"NsATIo> ~ INCIDE:NTs
DURING NEGOTIATIONS
Mean" h.le. several sensational in.
dents cropped UP IN connection with
negotiations, chief of which wa.
"ud'nG II a message 10 the Berlin
"i-u Once by Dr Dumba the Aus
ti ambassador. later recalled At the
u'si Of President Wilson. which was
presented IS stating substantially
tat Mr. Erysn had intimateh TO the
ainna sador that the vigorous tone 81
IN" American notes should not be re-
earded lit Berlin as too warlike.
The note averred that the declaration
OF submarine war zone could not alb.
s~~l % ~-;,
lawful journeys, and added:
Th" government Of TIC United
states, therefore. very earnestly and
solemniy renews III" representations
81 its note transmitted 10 the imperial
German government on May Is, and
the principles OF humanity. the uni.
Ner-ally recognized understandings ot
international law and tho ancient
friendship Of tho German nation"
GERMAN REPLY IN JULY
tHAHACTERTZED As ADDRESS
To that note Germany did no, reply
until July {. and tho German rcjoinder
was prcpondcrately characterized by
American newspapers not as note
bat a. :. address by Foreign Minister
Won la-o' TO the American people.
In official circles IL was said 10 come
nearer 10 meeting the American con-
BUTTONS than did the former German
crE thing else. including the declara-
ION Of London, the British food block
"dc or Germany. The sowing OF British
mines. rhe freedom OF tho seas. and
made counter proposal that both
countries agree upon certain number
& ,'eutral passenger steamers for trat-
& between tho United states and F.u-
rope which tho German government
ncred 20 guarantee against submarine
tack provided they carried no contra
bard
Tho nature Of the reply WAS regarded
Officially as convincing eNidcncc-if
any more were needcd--that Germany
was holding th" submarine warfare
negotiations as q club over the United
states 20 force Xii. government into
'omc action TO compel Great Britain "a
relsN tho food blockade President Will
son stcndfasty refused to hermit the
dipl"msti" negotiations or the United
states with ono heliiGercnt to become
"ntauGlcd with the relations with an
other