The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-05-17
AN UNPLEASANT
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ports that the reply would be expe.
dited greatly interested him, but he
declined to discuss them.
Received Friendly.
by John Edwin Nevin, United Press
Staff Correspondent
WASHINGTON, May 17.-Germany
received the Wilson protest against
submarine war, as applied to mer-
chant vessels, In the most frien lily
way.
Her foreign minister treated AM
bassador Gerard with the utmost
courtesy and consideration when he
read the American position, as set
forth by the president. He promised
that the note would have the most
careful consideration and that re-
ply would be made without delay.
Ambassador Gerard at Berlin, re-
ported this to Secretary Bryan today.
He emphasized the friendliness of his
reception. Whether he fntimated,
however, what he expected the out
come to be, Secretary Bryan refused
to say. He refuses also to discuss the
Gerard report in any way. Neverthe-
less his attitude showed he was in a
far more hopeful frame OF mind than
at any previous time since the Lusi-
tania was sunk. Whether or not
there was any connection between the
two circumstan it was considered
significant too that the secretary made
public almost in the same breath with
the Gerard announcement, names OF
men who are to serve on the arbitra-
70
disputes which may arise with Great
Britain, Norway, Peru and Bolivia.
A copy of Ambassador Gerard's re-
port has been transmitted to the
president at New York. 1t is not in
tended that 1t shall reach the public
inasmuch that the conclusions are IN
official and the points at issue between
the two countries are too delicate to
permit any comment that might result
in complications.
One of the most significant develop.
ments of the present situation is the
deluging of the white house with let
tiers and telegrams-many of them
from prominent Americans Of German
lineage-pledging support to his
policy, as enunciated in the latest noe
to the German government. Over
Sunday there was an accumulation
which piled on table was more than
three feet high. In general tone, all
were identical. One, which was typi-
cal, was from the German Catholic
union of Baltimore, representing 5000
members 1t endorsed the spirit OF
the presidents note and pledged al
legiance only to ''one flag" but coa-
Guided with the statement that the
organization was uniting in prayer
that a peaceful solution might be
reached. Although the spirit of Of
ticialdom generally was hopeful of
such an outcome, it is said in navy
and war departments the possibility
of another result possible is not being
Overlooked. Davidson left for New
York today, saying he would be back
Tuesday. 1t is understood he viii
have a talk with Admiral Fletcher 70
gardine the maneuvers to begin to-
morrow. The fleet on steaming ous-
side Ambrose channel lightship, will
commence a series of planned man
euvers which are intended to demon
strate whether New York would be
safe in event of attack by hostile
fleet. 1t will be possible to keep the
feet together in this movement ana
it will also be possible for its where
abouts to be concealed until the Ger
man reply has been received and con-
sidered here. This will be a decided
advantage to any nation at the present
time, officials admit. Ordnance de-
partments of both branches of service
already have reported the exact con-
dition of the army and navy concern
ing munitions These reports are
admittedly none too roseate, but with
all Of the ammunition factories in the
country running full blast, il the gov
eminent needs ammunition, 1t was
said they could be promptly command
eered.
Germany's Answer.
IJBy Karl w. Alderman, United Press
Staff Correspondent
BERLIN, May II (Via The Hague)
l-Germany's reply to the Bryan note
will draw a distinct line between the
Gulflight and the Lusitania incidents.
It can be stated on the best authority
that so far as the Gulflight is con-
cerned, the reply will leave nothing
to be desired by America. Every pos
sible PREPARATION will be offered in the
shape of eliminating this incident
from controversy. Neither American
citizens here nor teh German press
expect the German reply to be Of the
nature to precipitate crisis. In the