The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1915-07-22

Washington, July l7.-What, really
took place between William j. Bryan,
then secretary of state, and the Aus.
trian ambassador during and after
the conversation which confused the
consideration of the submarine issue
in Berlin has been disclosed here by
one who knows all the facts.
The unpleasant situation which
arose out of the talk between Bryao
and Ambassador Dumba was one
of the things which led up to Mr.. Bry-
ans resignation 1t is asserted that
the president was greatly annoyed at
the incident and at the steps which
Mr.. Bryan was compelled to take to
correct the misunderstanding.
That Mr.. Bryan did give the Aus
trian ambassador to understand that
a friendly answer was all that was
required of Germany in response to
the Lusitania note of May IS is the
positive assertion of the informant.
From this arose all the trouble.
Mr.. Bryan's recent public statement
in explanation of the incident has not
in the least altered the understanding
of those in position to have authori-
tative information on the subject.
After the Lusitanla note of May Is,
when feeling was running high in this
country and the newspapers were
printing articles suggestive Of war or
the severance Of diplomatic relations
with Germany, Ambassadors Won
Bernstorff and Dumba were doing
everything possible to relieve the stu
alton here.
AS Ambassador Dumba was not di-
rectly involved in the submarine issue
it was decided that he should call on
Mr.. Bryan and endeavor to learn from
him just what was the attitude of the
administration. The ambassador ac-
cordingly called at the state depart
ment and after some effort got Mr..
Bryan to discuss the question.
That in this conversation Mr.. Bryan
gave the ambassador to understand
that all the United States really re-
Quired of Germany was friendly
answer is the statement made by the
informant.
Mr.. Bryan is understood to have said
that while the United States had used
strong language in the note of May
Is that it did not mean the severance
of diplomatic relations between the
United States and Germany if Berlin
did not meet the presidents demands
"A friendly note," it is stated, sis
what Mr.. Bryan said was wanted from
Germany in reply" Mr.. Bryan refer
red, it is declared, to the pressure OF
public opinion upon the president In
explanation of the language of the note
sent to Berlin.
That Ambassador Dumba came
away from the state department much
relieved in mind with the conviction
that the situation was not at all dang
erous is certain. He wrote dispatch
to his government reporting the con
versation and the impressions he had
gained from it as to the seriousness
of the American governments inten
tons. This message was shown tt
Ambassador Won Bernstorff, witt
whom the Austrian ambassador was II
daily conference at that time.
The effects of the impression gained
by the ambassador in his talk will
Mr.. Bryan came a few days later
Ambassador Gerard was at Berlil
foreign Office, using vigorous Language
about the American position on tn
submarine issue.
The official with whom he wa
speaking suddenly interrupted hin
with a smile and told him, in effect
that he knew Mr.. Gerhard was bluffin,
and that there was no need of sucl
strong language. He told Mr.. Gerart
that the Berlin government had beer
informed that the American note wa!
merely for home consumption and tina
all the United States wanted from
Germany was a soft answer, which
would make break between the twt
governments unnecessary. Mr.. Gerart
was indignant and at once reported tt
Washington what had been said tt
him. His message was like the bias
Of stick of dynamite in the state de
partment. 1t was this dispatch Mr.
Bryan had in mind when in his recen
statement of this subject, he spoke O
having learned that his conversation
with DR.. Dumba, had been misinter
preted in Berlin" S.
WHAT NORTH Dakota *