Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 106, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 May 1916 — PESSIMISM GROWS IN DELAYED NOTE REPLY [ARTICLE]

PESSIMISM GROWS IN DELAYED NOTE REPLY

Indications Are That Germany Will Seek to Argue Issue Wilson Thought Final. Berlin, May 2.—lt has been learned that Dr. Karl Helfferich, the Imperial treasurer, is at headquarters participating in the conference on the American note and the framing of an answer thereto. . The Frankfurter Zeitung says Ambassador> Gerard twice dined with Emperor William and that he also was able to see the German troops at an important point on the front.

Washington, May 2.—Two weeks have passed since the United States dispatched to Germany its note demanding that an abandonment of the present methods of submarine warfare immediately be declared and effected, and tonight the state department still was without any difinite information indicating that the demand will be complied wih. As days go by and no reply comes from Berlin, and Ambassador Gerard sends no word regarding the attitude of the German government, an air of grave concern is beginning to manifest itself in administration circles. Publicly officials continue to preserve an air of optimism. Privately, no attempt is made to conceal a contiary feeling, and this feeling is certain to become more pronounced less some definite news is forthcoming. It is felt that the very length of time which has been consumed by the German government in preparing a reply in itself indicates that the communication will not take the shape of a simple response to the direct and clear-cut issue raised in the American note. It is feared that the reply is likely to assume an argumentative character, which can scarcely be regarded as meeting the requirements of the United States.