The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1915-07-02
FAVORABLE REPLY
EXPECTED SOON
Germany's Answer Will Be Satisfac-
tOry-ImpressiOn in Berlin.

reply from Germany to the last
American note concerning submarine
warfare and the sinking of the Lusi-
tania was predicted in an official dis
patch from Ambassador Gerard today
The State department transmitted the
communication to President Wilson
at Cornish.
The ambassador did not attempt to
outline TIE forthcoming German
note, but described the atmosphere
in Berlin official quarters as favorable
to satisfactory reply. He referred
to the visit of Dr.. Anton Meyer-Ger-
hard, the emissary of Count Won
Bernstorff, the German ambassador,
pointing out that the ambassadors in
formation apparently mad impressed
the German government that the
United States did not want war with
Germany, but desired satisfactory
reply to her original demands.
TIE fact that Ambassador Gerard
took occasion to predict informally
the nature of the reply was regard
ed as significant in official quarters
here, where it was pointed out that
the ambassadors forecasts in the
pat mad been conservative and con-
sistent The text of the last German
note bore out his predictions
Ambassador Gerard understands
the German official purpose to be to
make no concessions which will af-
feet tie use of submarines as a
means of warning on the commerce
of Great Britain, but to propose some
way by which American lives and
legitimate interests will be safe
guarded.
Officials here have no hint as to
the methods by which this object is
| 10 be attained, but from previous dis
patches it is assumed an arrange
ment will be suggested whereby Ger
man submarines would cease attacks
on ships of any nationality primarily
used for passenger travel, willie con-
| tinuing to wage vigorous warfare on
enemy ships devoted \chiefy to the
transportation of contraband. 1t is
not known whether it is proposed to
give passenger ships complete i'm
munity or whether assurances will
be asked that if signaled by a sub
marine for visit and search they will
offer no resistance.
No fntimation. has come to the
state department as to when the Ger
man note will reach here, but it is be
lieved the communication will be
| completed within ten days.
DR.. Gerhard was understood by Am
bassador Gerard to have reported that
public opinion in the United States
had been growing more and more
favorable to Germany when the sink
ing of the Lusitania undid what had
been accomplished. Gerhard made it
clear also tnat the, United States did
not want war, but wanted satisfac-
tory reply to it's representations.
German officials are eager, accord
ing to Ambassador Gerard's report
to give such an answer, but at the
same time they have made it clean
that Germany can not make any con-
cessions vii ich would destroy the ef-
fectiveness of the submarine as an
offensive weapon.
1t is understood Germany is trying
to find some method by which Ameri-
cans travelling on ships primarily used
for passenger traffic shall be safe
while the submarine continues to be
used in attacking belligerent freight
ships carrying chiefly contraband.
Just what proposal Germany will
make to accomplish that object, Off
Gals here can not conjecture; but
from tie fact that Germany seems to
be willing to safeguard the rights OF
Americans who travel on ships of any
nationality primarily engaged in pas
senger traffic, an adherence to the
principles expressed in the American
note-that non-combatants should be
immune from attack-would seem, in
the opinion of officials here, to be
recognized.
No information has been received
On what the attitude of Germany will
be toward assuming liability for less