Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1915-05-20
GERMANY TO REPLY
THIS WEEk..GERARD
TEuToN PRESS NOT PERMITTED
TO PUBLISH TEXT or
AMERICAN NOTE.
AUSTRIAN AMBASSADOR ACTS
Works With Count Won BernstorH In
Endeavor TO Prevent Rupture
Of Friendly Relations Between
Germany and u. 8.

Washington, May 1g.-~Germany is
expected TO answer the American note
Of last Friday before the end OF this
week. Ambassador Gerard cabled the
state department that he had read the
document to Herr Won Jagow, the for
eign minister. and that an early reply
would be forthcoming. ...
The ambassador was given no init
nation Of the feeling OF the German
government He was assured merely
that the subject would require consid-
GRAFTON by the higher officials, and
that a reply would be ready soon. In.
asmuch as the press had not been per-
mitted to publish the text of the note,
the ambassador also was unable to re.
port on the state OF public opinion to-
ward II.
Diplomats Arc Active.
In the meantime the diplomatic ac-
livity OF Count Won Bernstorff, the
German ambassador, and DIR. Constan-
tin +. Dumba, the Austrian ambassa-
dor, both OF whom are understood to
be endeavoring to prevent a rupture
Of friendly relations between Germany
and the United States. Is attracting
much attention.
Neither OF the diplomatists would
discuss the suhtect.
Doctor Dumba had long confer.
ence with Secretary Bryan and later
with other officials at the state de.
partment, II Ia known that he dis.
cussed informally the situation pro-
dnced by the sinking OF the Lusitania
and the sending Of the American note
and II Ia understood also that Secre.
tary Bryan appraised President Wilson
In New York OF the substance OF the
conversation. Later Doctor Dumba
conferred with Count Won Bernstorff.
Urge Suspension OF Attacks.
Both the Austrian and German am.
bassadors are understood to have
autographed to their governments nrg.
tng suspension OF submarine attacks
On passenger ships while the diploma.
tic discussions are In progress, be.
cause Of the serious situation that
resulted In the United States from
the sinking Of tho Lusitania. They
have cautioned extreme care lest the
sinking OF another ship with American
lives aboard may lead to an imme.
date break In the relations OF the
United States with Germany.
Austria Ia watching with much In
terest the situation which her ally is
confronting In the United States and
her influence Ia being used In the di.
rection OF assisting In q peaceful set.
Element
Protest to Britain Considered.
The general expectation here IL that
Germany will reiterate her Willingness
to abandon her present submarine war.
fare on merchant ships and follow the
maritime laws II neutrals viii infiu.
ence the allies to permit the shipment
Of foodstnffs to civilians In helligerent
territory. In this connection, there
has been some consideration given In
Official quarters here to the advisable.
ity Of sending note of protest to
Great Britain against the actual Oh.
crations OF Its fleet In enforcing the
blockade Of commerce With Germany.
While the United States In effect
recognized the right OF the allies TO
maintain an effective blockade of the
German coast, 1t has never admitted
their right to interrupt the trade with
neutral countries unless II is proved
to be a contraband character with an
ultimate enemy destination. Many
non-contraband eargoes bound for neu.
trails are said to have been detained
and the sending of an emphatic note
to Great Britain on the subject In the
near future would not be surprising.
according to wellinformea opinion to-
night,
v. s. Not Obligated.
High officials have made II clear
however, that whatever the United
States may undertake with reference
TO the allies must be distinct from it's
controversies with Germany and
IL will not be obligated by another
country to secure concessions from
Great Britain though endeayoring of
It's own accord To secure an acquies.
cence In what the American govern.
ment considers it's right under inter
national law.
As for the questions raised in the
American note, which Germany is un.
derstood to be willing to arbitrata. of.
ficials here say the American govern
ment will not be satisfied with less
than an acceptance OF tho principles
of humanity and legality set forth Ia
her note.