Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 May 1916 — GERARD IS GIVEN GERMANY’S REPLY [ARTICLE]

GERARD IS GIVEN GERMANY’S REPLY

Kaiser's Message on U-Boat Question on Way to U. S. DUE IN WASHINGTON TODAY Officials Say Length of Document Ir* dicates an Effort at Bargaining— Berlin Dispatch Tells of Concessions Granted to U. S-

Washington, May 6. —Berlin’s reply to President Wilson’s ultimatum on the submarine Issue has been filed for transmission In Berlin, according tu advices received here. The note, whlchi is said to be the longest diplomatic! document on record In the controversy, is now expected here hourly. The very length of the Germain answer Ib Interpreted In some quarters as indicating an unsatisfactory attitude toward the American demands. Borne officials declare that! the length of the document undoubtedly Indicates an effort at bargaining! which will be promptly refused by l President Wilson. In such case a diplomatic break would follow Immediately. Officials close to the administration. while refusing to be quoted in any way on the Issue, appeared reaamiably optimistic of a peaceful outcome and declared no new grounds! for a break could be injected Into the situation until the note is thoroughly digested. An official dispatch announced that! Foreign Minister von Jagow had handed the note to Ambassador Gerard. Approximately eight hours were accupied In coding the document. This alone would prove it a lengthy communication. Officials Are Apprehensive. Officials admittedly were apprehensive despite the numerous optimistic* dispatches from the German capital. There have been too many hitches at. the very last moment in these negotiations In the past to permit acceptance of assurances that the entire, controversy is to he amicably adjusted! In advance of the official advices/ There is little doubt that Germany will announce that she has, in accordance with the American demand* abandoned present methods of submarine warfare. The clouded Issue is whether thia announcement is hinged upon a bargaining proposition demanding certain) things at the hands of the United) States. Chancellor Returns to Berlin. Berlin, May 6. —The reply to thei American note on submarine warfare) was handed to Ambassador Gerard. Considerable perturbation is expressed) over the effect which concessions may have on public opinion here. Gerard Outlines Note. Washington, May B. —Though garbled in transmission, a note from Ambassador Gerard at Berlin giving an! advance view of Germany’s reply waal taken by officials to show reason for| optimism. While officials would not be speciflai as to the contents of the message, iti was learned that insofar as the message goes there is ho ground for pes-t simism. The message as translated appears, to contain the proposal that Germany, will abide by international law on condition that the United States shall force the allies to do the same. Kaiser Makes Concessions. In spite of this indication, it is insisted by those in a position to know* that Germany has made straight-out concessions and certain definite statements which squarely meet President WJIHQa’B demand that she “lmmftrllatft.

ly declare and effect an abandonment* of objectionable methods of submarine warfare. The German note, according to all the authorities know, reiterates the assurances that unarmed vessels will not be sunk without warning unless they resist or attempt to escape. But it appears as though there is a qualification in reference to armed ships. Even this qualification may be broader iu the document which Mr. Gerard doubtless is now putting in cipher. The state department's summary does not reveal whether all armed merchantmen are to be sunk on sight or only those vessels which are acting under instructions from the British admiralty to attack German submarines.