The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-06-17
Swedish, Norwegian and Dan
ish Ministers Confer With
Lansing Over German
American Situation
7 = EW DEVELOPMENTS
ill Awaiting kaIser's Reply to VIII
sons Note Regarding the
Rights Of Neutral
Shipping

Staff Correspondent
WASHINGTON. June 17-Signs of
Intervention, or, at least participation
by European neutral countries In this
governments submarine warfare ne
gotiations with Germany developed
today. A conference between acting
Secretary Lansing and Scandinavian
diplomats here, gave a new tinge to
the German-American situation.
Lansing refused to divulge the sub
jects discussed by the Swedish, Nor.
wegian and Danish ministers. 1t leak
ed out, however, that the torpedoing
of Scandinavian fishing vessels and
merchant ships by German submarines
was one OF the topics. There was
ground for belief also that the north
ern European neutrals may be con.
templating independent action against
Germany in the form Of Joint or Sc
we're protest against destruction OF
their shipping. Failure OF these coun.
tries to make representations to Ger
many before Is believed to have been
,, due to the fact that many such YES
,, sells We're caugh carrying contraband
and that a protest would not lie under
the international code.
Before President Wilson were con.
fdential reports with clippings from
German newspapers from Ambassador
Gerard regarding the Lusitania notes
received at Berlin 1t b.came known
today that Gerard didn't go into de
tail in his preliminary report, but
voiced the general opinion that the
foreign Offices attitude was most
friendly, raising hopes for peaceful
settlement Of the dispute. A detailed
and lengthy mail report is promised
by Gerard. He will also advise the
state department from time to time OF
the situation,
The administration was disturbed
today over publication Of food of
anti-German attacks which lacked con.
firmation. High officials let 1t be
known that sensational newspaper re-
ports, duplicating German representa-
tives here are viewed with annoyance,
If not alarm.
In this connection the state depart
ment announced thax Ambassador
Pages report of the Nebraskan case
would be withheld Indefinitely.
1t was understood that little doubt
exists that a torpedo struck the Ne
braskan and the impression was the
ed as a result Of the desire to add no
fuel to the flame of resentment con-
cerning the Lusitania's destruction.
Despite the inflammatory reports
that Dr. Anton Meyer-Gerhard, Ger
man Ambassador Bernstorffs emissary
to Berlin, really is DR.. Alfred Meyer,
q German war Office purchasing agent
and that German spies have tampered
with diplomatic and war department.
mail of1cials declared themselves in
creasingly confident of peaceful
settlement of the submarine warfare
negotiations with Germany.
That there Is absolutely no confir-
nation Of either of the two stories
mentioned, was early stated
Acting Secretary of State Lansing
said he had received denials by wire
from Ambassador Bernstorff and
Counsellor Won Haimhausen OF the
German embassy. The story that
spies have been opening official mail
was dismissed as "preposterous."
For two rea sons the administration
deploras publication OF these and 9TH
er speculative and unconfirmed anti
German articles. First. it is feared
they may be cabled to Germany and
create anti-American sentiment. Sec
ond, the effect on public opinion In
America notified by the administra-
tons vigorous notes to Berlin, - con-
sidered most undesirable.
The postmaster generals and chief
postal inspectors offices joined the
state department in denying the mail
tampering story 1885,.
Official Investigation.
NEW YORK, June 17.-An official
investigation by the federal govern
ment was started today into the my5-
terious alleged dual personality Of DR..
MeyerGerhard who obtained safe cou.
duct to Berlin as special envoy from
the German ambassador, according 10
Mrs. Selma Lewis, chief woman char
acter in the affair She declared to-
day she had been warned by special
government agents not to make any
more statements, reserving what in
formation she may possess for the fed
eral authorities.
Ambassador Won Bernstorff here to-
day refused to make any statement
to newspaper men, saying he had
made proper representations to Wash