The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1915-05-20
BRYAN PLAN HAS FAULTS

N8EI ~
Policy-No Intimation From
Berlin as to What
Reply Will Be.
Washington. May 1S.-On the whole
the optimistic view OF the solution OF
the issues raised between this nation
and Germany. remain as pronounced
at the opening OF the week as it was in
the closing days of last week. The gAn
eral feeling of officials is one Of In
~credibility that Germany should want
to add America to her list of enemies,
though they recognize the fact that
some cogent reasons have been adj
vanced why she might desire to do so.
1t is clear that IL there is difficulty
with Germany 1t will center around the
proposition that Germany shall discon-
tlnue her present submarine policy.
Press dispatches from Berlin from
sources usually we'll informed, declare
! the German government will not aban-
don submarine warfare on British and
allied merchant shipping.
That the answer of the German gov
erpment will be friendly in tone n
that it will reply favorably. Insofar as
the Gushing and Gulflight cases are
concerned, is anticipated. But the real
crux of the case is:
What will Germany say about
submarine warfare? viii she
methods of use of her undersea
fleet?
In the last analysis, Berlin will
weigh this propositions: "Have we
submarine policy thar by adding
America to the list of our enennies?n
Needs America AS Friend.
r. TT 1nplxS q 81 tho pinuy 4 olxar, nf this
question by the kaiser and his advisers
would determine peace or war with
America. They may view the question
from the short sighted standpoint of
may view it from the higher and
broader plane and consider whether in
the long run the friendship of America
in a world bristling with their enemies,
will not be worth more than any dam
age their submarines can do to allied
Closely read. of course. President
Wilson'S note, though expressing OBJ
j~ections to use of submarines against
merchant ships, does not actually de-
mand that use of submarines cease.
If Germany could suggest q way of
using submarines which would not
mean the killing of noncombatants on
merchant ships, without warning, I'M
doubtedly this government would con-
slider it.
May Adopt Bryan Plan.
The view continues to be widely held
here that Germany may propose either
arbitration of that part of the contro-
versy relating to methods of use Of sub
marines. or that it may propose an ex-
animation and report under the Bryan
peace treaty plan.
Opinions differ widely as to what
the United States government would
do about any scheme of arbitration OF
investigation.
Such a proposal will inevitably
stir up the old question which has
been debated many times in the
Senate. That question is: will
the government arbitrate a ques-
ton of interest or national honor?
viii the government arbitrate a
treatment of noncombatants, in
Guiding women and babies?"
Time and again, senators nave giver
warning that if the country ever at
tempted to arbitrate a question Of ma
tional honor or vital interest the people
would r~epudiate 1t. 1t is true thai
there is no actual treaty with Germany
that would require the government tt
arbitrate a question of vital interest OIL
national honor.
But the fact is that the Bryan peace
treaties with other countries, the prin
ciple Of which Germany has accepted
apply to all controversies, of whateve
nature.
Difficulties in the Way.
Many difficulties are in the way o
any satisfactory arbitration, or inves
tigation through commission of tn,
controversy. One is that this countr.
could not enter on such a course unles
Germany suspended her submarin,
warfare on merchant ships, or modi
fled it greatly, and the unsolved ques
ton is whether, in the crisis of tn
European war, Germany would do so.
Nt,,1 11Ir fr1,,, Io-rnn thfc 1pri
saying italian troops and Austrian
} have clashed were read here toda.
t with avidity. The many signs tina
the clouds Of war will soon break !:
. earnest on the frontiers of Italy an
: Austria. are looked upon as having
r most intimate bearing on the relation
$ between Washington and Berlin.
Feeling here, as the week opens, wit
+ Italy threatening more than ever t
l range herself with the allies, is tina
the kaiser and his advisers will no
rush rashly and d%efiantly into troubl
with the United States.
:, limitations by diplomats friendly t
q Germany that her answer might be al
y offer to suspend attacks without warn
n ing on merchant ships If the Unite,
r States would rensw its informal pro
poSal for unrestricted passage Of foo,
stuffs to Germany's civilian population
have aroused keen interests. Official
declare the United States will not re
= cede from us TiSHtS uIuer lileTllallOna
law, but intimate that If German
acquiesces in the American position tn
United States probably will press 1t
o contention of it's right to ship foo
q stuffs to Germany. This matter still
thought probable that an understand
ing will be reached giving German
n definite assurances that no merchar
chips leaving American ports would b
g armed. making it possible for SUI
. i 4taa - INC .rrtn m nIoru IN 6rl Az = n