The Washington times., 1915-06-10

that the Administration as soon as 1t
has disposed of the German crisis-if
it can be disposed of ainicably-will d.
rect strong protest to London
against the continued interference
with American commerce.
President Hopeful.
Officials here say frankly that even
though Germany should adopt a def
ant attitude. no one in touch with the
inside of the situation believes dipio-
matte relations can calmly be broken
off. The recall of Ambassador Gerard
under existing conditions would have
to be followed by steps to maintain this
country's position. And these steps of
necessity would have to be of q nature
that would call for action by Germany.
The President and his advisers are
hopeful, however, that the German gov
ernment will be conciliatory. While the
note asks assurance that the German
government will abide by the recognized
principles of international law In the
future conduct of its submarine war
fare. the President hopes that Germany
will be willing to give such assurances.
The chief fear expressed Is that the
withdrawal of Secretary Bryan under
existing conditions will be misunder-
stood in Berlin. 1t is certain that 1t
will stiffen the backs of the military
element 10.
It is not expected that the German
reply will reach this country for an
other ten days. Ambassador Gerard s
communications to his Government,
now being carried to Berlin by Meyer
Gerhard, cannot get there until the
latter part of this week, And Count
Won Bernstorff~ has impressed upon
the German government that the sug-
gestions he has sent are OF the most
extreme Importance. Because of this
fact the President will not ask Am
bassador Gerard to hurry the reply.
He will be instructed to deliver the
note and then to keep in touch with
the German government until the re-
ply Is complet.
Ambassador Gerard is expected to
keep the President we'll informed of the
trend of official opinion. 1t is certain
that the reply to the latest hote will be
passed on by q cabinet council but 1t
Is hoped by Washington officials that
communication. II he does they believe
that concessions will be made regard
less of the position taken by the repre-
sentatives of the military and naval
Kaiser that the best hopes of America s
cause rest He has always been friendly
to the United States. And 1t Is known
in Washington that he, more than any
of his subjects realizes that after the
war is over no matter what the out
come. Germany will find the cordial
friendship of the United States useful:
While awaiting the German reply, the
President will consider the memoran-
DUN submitted to him dealing with the
British blockade of American trade. For
the last six weeks Secretary of State
Bryan has favored sending a note to
and France for protection of American
property rights as energetically as the
United States has asked Germany to
protect American human rights.
Pressure of an extremely strong sort,
however. is now being brought to bear
to have the President act Immediately.
Congressman Webb of North Carolina
and other Southern Congressman VINO
have seen the President lately are au-
thority for the statement that the
President has promised prompt action.
They believe that the note will be pre-
pared and sent forward within the
next fortnight. But the President has
not permitted his position to be indl-
Gated by any authorized statement up
to the present time.
If the note is sent forward 1t will
take the position that the United
States refuses to recognize the unde-
against German commerce. If they
want to bottle up the German coast.
they will be told. they must do 1t in
an effective manner with q blockading
of the seas And the United States
will decline to recognize any blockade
that exists entirely by right OF might
and is enforced in mid-ocean by the
holding up and diverting OF peaceful
merchant ships into hostile ports con-
trary to existing law. Nh
On Neutral Commerce.
And on the position taken by the
allies that they can and will interfere
with commerce to the neutral Scan
dinavian countries and to Holland
unless guarantees are given that the
goods so carried will not get into
Germany. the United States Will take
a much move positive stand. The po-
sition of the President. which will be
made plain to the allies either i'm
mediately OF after the German situa-
tion is cleared up, Will he that inter
ference with non-contraband exports
of the United States Is unwarranted
and a grossly unfriendly action.
Acting Secretary of State Lansing
has compiled all of the data dealing
with the British order in council and
1T Will be very easy matter to pre-
pare the protest when the right timc
arrives