Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1915-07-08
DIR. GERHARD SAYS
US. IS NOT HOSTILE
Asserts America and Germany
Misunderstood Each Other.
THEY SHOULD BE FRIENDS
Factories That Ship Munitions of War
Do Not Represent People Here,
Envoy to Kaiser Writes Tn
Newspaper.

Berlin, July DIR. Anton Meyer
Gerhard. special envoy Of Count Bern
stOrf to the kaiser, published an ar
tiCle IN Der Tag on Tuesday explain
ing the views Of the United States
regarding the Lusitania case.
Germany and the United States
misunderstand each other" That is
the gtst Of the article.
Doctor Gerhard adds that German
efficiency is making friends for the
atherland in the United States every
day"
1T is true" says DR.. Meyer-Gerhard,
that the American press, with some
laudable exceptions, especially the
German-American papers, have not
succeeded in remaining neutral, but
the influence Of the press upon public
opinion is sometimes greatly overesti-
mated. Doubtless large sections Of
the American people are friendly
toward Germany, whose efficient or
ganizattOn is daily winning friends and
arOusing interest in things German.
One excellent effect of the war is
upon German-Americans who, with
out sacrifice Of their loyalty to their
adopted country, have shown strong
remembrance of their descent, their
education and their culture. Beside
them, on the other side Of the ocean,
there are wide circles who sympathize
with Germany"
Abiding to the discussion over the
ammunition question, Doctor Meyer
Gerhard says:
Germans often mistake large am
munitiOn orders for filed orders. To
a large extent such orders are chang
ing big factories into ammunition
works This is regrettabIe, but the
writer is convinced that large parts
Of the American people disapprove
Of 1t. A popular vote would show a
considerable majority against the
practice
Germans must discriminate be-
tween business men accepting orders
and the great mass of the American
people.
Both people are laboring under en-
ttrely different opinions. Both have
lived hitherto in peace and friend
ship and should continue so to live.
There is no real reason for antagon-
1sm existing between them"
Washington, July Evidence &C
cumulated at the state department
that concrete plans are in process of
formation between the United States
md 10 e
the dangers to American life and prop
erty in the German war zone.
Il can be stated as a fact that there
lave been limitations from Germany,
although not directly from the foreign
Office, that effort is now being made to
avoid attacks on vessels flying the
American flag.
( It was admitted at the department
that the United States is now advis-
ing the German foreign Office of the
date of sailing from America of
every vessel flying the American flag
and also of the approximate time such
vessels will pass into the German war
zone. This information is sent to Am.
bassador Gerard for communication to
the German admiralty.
Officials say that 1t is obvious that
the German admiralty has sent new
stringent orders to its submarine com.
manders to avoid attacks on vessels
flying the American flag unless abso-
lutely certain that the flag is employed
for deception.
There would be no surprise now
at the state department if Germany
was to admit her liability for repara.
alton in the case of the Lusitania.