The Washington herald., 1916-05-06
Menace to Lives Removed.

Menace TO Lives Removed,
The United States. it is explained. will
know how to deal with this threat should
II be put into execution. In the mean
time the submarine menace to noncon-
0atants' lives is at least temporarily
eliminated and this is the object for
which the President has been striving.
1t Is too early to predict with certainty
that the President will accept this con-
cession on its face value, but indications
strongly point that way. The President
received the German reply. as csbIed by
press associations from Berlin, just be-
fore the Cabinet meeting. He read Il
to his advisors and the Cabinet discussed
lit for nearly two hours
sharp Words Discounted.
The unfavorable impression made BY
the sharp words in the preliminary, nor.
uons Of the note was offset by the out.
line OF the orders TO submarine COM
manders which indicated the specific eoD-
cessions which the imperial government
has made. It is understood that IN.
President discounted much OF the verbi-
age OF the note on the ground that IL
was intended for home consumption. in
Berlin. 1t was the guarantees and not
the words that interested the President.
Following the Cabinet meeting there
were further indications that an i'm
mediate break was not imminent. Secre-
tary Of State Lansing said. I cannot
discuss the note at all at this time. but
he said later that certain inquiries con-
cerning the note probably would be made
OF the German govern mcnL
ReoPens Negotiations.
This, itssH was regarded as an ad-
mission that the note had at least served
the purpose OF reopening diplomatic
negotiations between the two govern
ments. President Wilson had made il
clear that in case the German reply did
not meet his demands he would not en-
ter into any further discussion.
Other Cabinet officers reflected the
view that the tension had relaxed. Secre-
tary Burleson would not discuss tn,
matter specifically. but said he was go
ing on a fishing trip as soon as he could
get away from the White House. he
left the questioners to draw their own
conclusions. One high official made the
positive statement that the adminfsira-
ton would accept the German prorL cz
and let the developments OF the future
decide the course OF this government
Many LooPhoIes OF Escape.
There is, however. much doubt on Ger
tain points covered in the note which are
not altogether clear. Tho note evidently
is so worded as to leave many diplo-
matte loOPholes OF escape 10 ft possible
subsequent necessities Of the imperial
government It is so framed that it al.
most necessarily demands further eluci-
dation on various shades Of meaning. II
is doubtful II anyone here understands
precisely what the imperial governments
attitude is on several Of the vital cues
tons mentioned. For this reason alone
the President will not feel at liberty 10
pass judgment on it until he has closely
studied the oficial text. which arrived
here last night
Apparently the German position on the
vital point at issue-the suspension or
abandonment Of, illegal submarine ware
fare-can be summed Up In broad sense
In this manner: Germany has suspend
ed its illegal submarine warfare IN the
hope that the United States will now IN
sist upon Great Britain abandoning IT'S
Illegal blockade"