Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1915-09-10
GERMANY AGREES
TO Give WARNING
Americas Plan for Safety at Sea
Is Accepted.
BRINGS PEACENEARER, |SBEl|EF
Wilson's Hands Are Now Free to Take
Up Interference With Commerce
With Great Britain.

Washington, Sept. 2.-Though vari
Gus interpretations are being put up
on the acceptance by Germany of the
principle of submarine warfare, for
which the United States has been con-
tending, in official circles here her &C
ton is expected to be regarded by the
world as a great diplomatic victory
for America.
In diplomatic quarters it is held
that the success of this government
with Germany on the submarine is
sue will greatly strengthen the posi-
ton of the nation, particularly in ref
erence to the war in Europe. 1t is
admitted that it will go far toward re-
storing the United States and Presi-
dent Wilson to their position of year
ago as possible peacemaker.
One of the first results expected
from the removal of the danger of a
break with Germany will be the re-
newal of efforts to obtain from Great
Britain a larger measure of respect
for the rights of American trade.
Particular emphasis is laid on the
fact that the presidents hands are
now freed and that he can proceed to
demand observance of the law from
Great Britain without fear that he will
become involved in dangerous sit
uation as regards Germany.
Germany's Action indicates Wilso
The political Importance attac..: ).
to the development by members OF
the administration can hardly be over
estimated. They feel that Germany's
action has absolutely indicated Pres
ident Wilson's course in dealing with
Germany, and COMPOUNDED his critics.
Another effect thought likely to
flow from the elimination of the fear
of break with Germany is increased
activity by those opposing, for politi-
cal or other reasons, large increase in
appropriations for national defense.
1t is believed that the adjustment Of
the issue with Germany will be cited
by the small army and navy adher-
ents as proof that the United States
can maintain Its rights without the
use of military forces and that there
is no warrant or occasion for plung-
ing into elaborate preparation for
war
Now that Germany has taken such
a positive step toward settling the
submarine issue, the question of chief
interest here is as to why she has
done it. Various explanations are put
forward, the most generally accepted
of which is that her statesmen have
come to realize that the German sub
marine operations were costing her
more, by antagonizing the world
against her, than the damage inflict-
ed on the enemy was worth.
The government in Berlin, it is said.
was able to take the step at this time
by reason of the fact that the Ger
man public is so enthusiastic over the
victories won by the armies in Russia
that it cares little what is done re-
garding the submarine program.
British Lend = Hand.
Another suggested explanation is
that the British offensive against Ger
man submarines is proving so effec-
tive as to not only make 1t dimcult
for them to destroy British shipping,
but also to cause serious losses to the
German submarine fOtilla.
Another factor in the situation was
the realization by Germany that a
break with the United States was tru-
ly imminent, unless something were
DONE and that such break would
serve to make the United States more
than ever a rich source of supply of
money and material for the allies.
! Whatever the motive, or combina-
ton OF motives, which brought about
the German change of attitude, no one
here credits it to any feeling of be-
nevolent altruism on the part of Ger
many, nor do the administrations
critics even grant that it was the
earnest representations of President
Wilson which were responsible.
| While Germany's action and change
Of attitude is regarded by the admins
tration as bringing within close view
the end of the dangerous controversy
over her submarine operations. much
remains to be done before it can be
considered that the issue is disposed
of or completed.
! The United States has not yet even
expressed officially its view that the
ambassadors communication makes
the situation no longer a dangerous
one Officially 1t is still maintaining
it's attitude of waiting for Germany
to move further and make unmistak
ably clear. in formal and official man.
ner. it's change Of heart on the sub
marine issue.
/