New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-11-02
HEAR PRESIDENT
MODIFIED NOTE
Republicans Get New Yer
sion of Lusitania
"WeaSeT'

Chairman William r. WILCOX Of the
Republican National Committee re-
heated his demand yesterday that
President Wilson and ex-Secretary Of
War Garrison come out in the open IN
the Lusitania note controversy and tell
the details. without resorting to tech
nical denials and concealment. The
chairman said he might have something
more to say on the subject within the
next twenty-four hours.
The Republican leaders insist that
IL is the right Of the people TO know
whether the President approved
"weascl" supplement to the note. but
they are not inclined 20 tell all they
know on the subject until they nave
given full opportunity for further OH
ciaI ordinations. They point out that
the Presidents denial Of an actual
"postscript" does not cover the case,
and that ex-Secretary Garrison so lar
has had nothing to say
Hear of Change in Note
II is understood that information has
come TO the Republican National Com
mttee which supports the BELIEF that
the President changed the original
note By inserting. in his own handwrit-
ing, modifying clause saying the
question would be arbitrable. Accord
ing to this version, some one III the
War Department kept record OF the
note, with the change made by the
President. Whether this record is still
in existence is probably only known TO
the President and certain members OF
his official family, among them eX-Sec-
rotary Garrison. That the change was
finally eliminated under pressure by
Secretary Garrison and others close TO
the President is not doubted by the Re-
publican leaders.
The important point. in the Repub-
lican view, is whether the President
actually approved, though he afterward
rejected. the alleged change IN the
note. If the change was made by the
President himself, it was pointed out,
il need not necessarily have been IN
the form of "A postscript" and mis- de-
nial that no such postscript was
added or considered would be true, but
merely technical.
Want Question Dropped
The Democratic campaign managers
appear anxious to consider the incident
closed. Chairman Vance c. Mccormick
of the Democratic National Committee
declined to discuss the matter yester-
day.
A letter was given out at Republican
national headquarters yesterday, writ
ten by Clifford Pinchot. former Chlef
Forester of the United States, 70 Will
lam j. Bryan, contending that Mr..
Bryan had never specifically denied the
existence of the memorandum said to
have been agreed to by him and the
Austrian Ambassador Dumba prior TO
the sinking of the Lusitania. This al
legged memorandum provided that Ger
many would discontinue submarine at
tacks on vessels aboard which 1T was
known there were American citizens II
the President would warn American
citizens that they must not take pas
sage on vessels sailing under belllg.
erent flag and carrying contraband OF
war
The Dumba incident was revived by
Mr.. Pinchot because of IA letter re-
ceived by him from Mr.. Bryan express
ing amazement at Mr.. Pinchot's refer
crence 10 the incident in his campaign
speeches, when it had been so frequent
lv denied by Mr.. Bryan in public. Mr..
Pinchot declared that Bryan's denials
had been technical"