Evening star., 1915-06-14

Increasing optimism was shown both
by American government officials and at
taches of the German embassy today that
Germany and the United States will reach
an amicable settlement Of the subject at
issue relative to the submarine warfare
and the rights Of Americans to pass
through the naval war zone unmolested.
Both sides protest a desire to avert
misunderstanding that might lead to hos
tilities, and express confidence that the
reply of Germany to the Presidents re-
cent rejoinder which Mr.. Bryan declined
plete understanding
Comment by the press Of Europe on
the recent American note to Germany
is attracting much attention In official
and diplomatic quarters here.
The editorials of the German press
were read with particular interest by
officials. who drew much encourage
ment from the references to the friend
ly tone of the American note.
Note Carefully Phrased.
High officials have felt that IL spirit
of friendliness could be maintained
throughout the negotiations the efforts
of the United States to convince Ger
HldHS Ol Lie AC6d 6dAAlS VI LIE AhiSi iSoii
position ultimately would be success
full. The careful phras;ng of the last
American note is known to have had
the purpose of stating the demands OF
the United States very earnestly. but
in such a fashion as would not make
it embarrassing for Germany to meet
the American position in way sat
istactory to her own public opinion. as
well as the United States.
The important thing which officials
thought they cleaned from the press
comment an other utterances was the
fact that the German government was
no more desirous of adding the United
States to It's list of enemies than the
United States was of participating in
the European conflict. ::
- With a growing understanding in
Germany that the United States is
anxious for peace. but will insist on
her rights. and the conviction here that
the German government will not mis-
construe the American demands into
any effort to interfere with opera
can be made to conform to accepted
rules of international law as they af-
feet neutrals. the chances for peace
ful outcome of the present difficulty
are believed in well Informed quarters
to be improving daily.
Would Aid in Solution.
on passenger ships would contribute
materially toward a peaceful settle
ment, and some officials professed to
see already signs of restriction of the
activity of German submarines to
craft of such size as to make II readily
possible to save the crews.
The fact that the German press is
divided as to the policy that ought to
be pursued is regarded hopefully here
1t is pointed out in diplomatic quar-
tiers friendly to the Germanic cause,
Myer Gerhardt personal messenger of
Count van Bernstorff. the German am
bassador. a full statement of the state
of American public opinion and sug
Eestions for a compromise will bring
about a better feeling in all quarters
in Berlin.
1t was noted that although Mr.. Bryan
referred to the softenins of the note
after his resigna ton ne said he did not
consider that the document had been
sufficiently changed to cause him to with
draw his resignation. While the White
House and State Department are not
making any comment on Mr.. Bryans
utterances, persons close to the Presi-
dent who were in a position to know the
details concerning the shaping of the
last American note to Germany pointed
out that not only was the note shown to
Mr.. Bryan in its final form, but that the
President himself had expressed a hope
at his farewell meeting with Mr.. Bryan,
an hour before the note was cabled. that
some way could be found to make unnec-
essary the Secretary's resignation. es-
pecially because of the possible miscon-
struction in Germany of the change at
this time.