Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-05-07
WASHINGTON CONVINCED POLICY
OF IRRITATION Is BEING PUR.
SUED BY rEuToNs.
SEARCHING FOR MOTIVE
BEHIND PRESENT ATTITUDE
May Hope to Involve United States in
War For Purpose Of Shutting Of
American Munitions Now Going to
European Nationality Want to Use
United States in Final Settlement.
Especial Correspondence

-
Washington, May 7.-Torpedotng of
the American tank steamer Gulf1ight
by a German submarine, the aerial at
tack on the American steamer Cush-
ing, the death Of Leon Chester Thresh-
er, the American citizen who lost his
life when the F'alaba was summarized.
and the warnings, amounting to
threats of purpose on the part of the
German government to send British
passengers to the bottom regardless
of whether neutrals are on board-all
these things have served to cause a
furore of discussion in Washington
and thruout the country as to what the
Berlin government means.
The interrogatory heard on every
hand is this: Does Germany intend to
nag the United States into war and
thus add one more to the list Of her
enemies in arms?"
Incredible as this seems, there can
be no doubt that the course Of Ger
many is annoying the officials OF this
government intensely. They do not
understand it. They can not reconcile
some of the developments with really
friendly purpose. Taken in connection
with the bitterness displayed by Ger
many over the expectation Of arms and
war munitions to the allies, they
cause extreme worry and apprehen-
sion.
Motive Not Seen.
The Gulflight affair, coming as sort
Of climax to other things done by Ger
many. has served to cause vast
amount of discussion Of the question
whether Germany could have any
motive for crowding the United States
into war and what that motive might
be. A number Of interesting theories
are being debated.
One of them is that Germany would
not be unwilling to see the United
States definitely enlisted with the al
lies because when It came to writing
the peace terms she would expect this
country to throw the weight Of its in
f1uence for terms favorable to Ger
many.
To be more specific, this theory is
that Germany would expect the case
for naturalization Of the seas which
she favors, to be greatly helped il the
United States were an active, factor
in the peace negotiations. AS viewed
here. Great Britain will not relish the
naturalization OF the seas, as this
would mean the virtual abolition OF
her navy and the end Of her supremacy
on the seas. But the United States.
backed by strong Pan-American senti-
ment. might be expected to support
naturalization.
Whether this thought Is what is ac
tually in the backs Of the heads Of
the kaiser and his advisers or not, is
something which can not be definitely
told But it is known that some Of
the chieftains close to the president
have pondered it over.
More Reasonable Theory.
Another theory which Is entertained
by some well-informed officials, in
Guiding prominent senator. who dis
cussed It recently, is that Germany be-
lieves II this country actually went to
war, or felt itself likely to get into
war, it would shut down on the ex-
port Of arms and ammunition to the
European allies.
In view Of the enormous facilities in
this country for the manufacture Of
war munitions, it is doubtful il this