The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-05-16
All Anxiety Over Delay in Transmission Removed. Intense Interest Felt in Germany's Reply
REPLY FROM KAISER NOT EXPECTED FOR l AT LEAST A WEEK
Rumors That Germany Is
 Willing to Submit Problem
 to Arbitration Arouses Interest in Washington

Washington. May 1s.-Word that Ambassador Gerard had read and pre- tented to Herr von Jagoc, minister for foreign affairs of the imperial Ger man government, the American note sent Thursday as consequence of the Lusitanin tragedy and other occur < rences in tue war zone, removed all anxiety here over the delay In trans mission and awakened intense interest in the nature of Gcrmnny's reply.
 In view of telegraphic and cable delays and the probable necessity for conferences between the foreign minister with the im- perial chancellor, von Bethmann Hollw~g ard doubtless Emperor William himself, it would not be considered surprising here if the response did not arrive for another eight days. It was believed possible, } however, that Ambassador Gerard might report earlier on the manner in which the American note was received by the gov ernment and the semi-official press.
 In the interim confidence prevails among high officials and is shared in German of ficial quarters that there will be no sub
 
 the questions at issue are being resolved.
 Suggests Arbitration
 The intimation which came in pi ess dis patches today indirectly from Berlin to the effect that Germany would willingly sub init the questions raised by the American note to arbitration, was received with much interest and 1t was indicated that if there was a suspension of submarine warfare on merchant ships while the dis ,rof<. v,sf< tl,a r,la be given serious consideration.
 Arbitration also had been talked of here before today's press dispatches arrived i, Some German officials had intimated tha although without advices from Berlin they were confident from previous knowl' edge of the desire of the German govern ment to remain friendly with the United States that arbitration would be wei con1ed The difficulty of constituting 2 court of arbitration at this time wher most of the great powers whose partici patton might be desired are at war was pointed out by some dplomatists, how ever. as making the plan impractcaDie.
 Settlement Probable
 That some way would be found to reach an amicable settlement between th' United States and Germany was the grow ' ing conviction of many officials and diplo matists today. A variety of suggestions were heard. Na
 One which was given serious though was a proposal to refuse clearance to bel ligerent ships carrying munitions of wal or absolute contraband If they also car ried passengers. This would involve n' embargo. but separation of passenge and contraband traffic.
 The United States stands firmly on th' legal right of it's citizens to travel on an, fkships. and believes it's position is indis q holds tla this has become a debatable question oI account of changed conditions and if th' two classes of ocean going traffic Wer' separated submarines would direct thei attention to contraband ships alone.
 The objection to this, however. in thu opinion of some officials is that the plai still would not provide for the humans Nreatment which international law pre- ecribes for the crew of a vessel carry ing contraband and making no resistance 10 visit and search or any attempt to rul a blockade. To torpedo without warnin' or even to give time for the crew of vessel carrying contraband to get mt small boats. it was pointed out, wou'' leave them to the mercy of the high sea unless a big boat happened to be nearby This is the position taken in the Ameri ran note and some officials doubte whether there would be any concession on this point, for it involves the princip' of humanity for which the United State has taken so vigorous q stand
 Another Suggestion
 Another suggestion widely discussed b officials was the possible announcement by the allies that none of their merchar ships would be armed hereafter. Mei chant ships of any nationality, accordin 10 q ruling from the state departmer early in the war. have the right to carr rnus nor larger than six-fnch calfber "fC defensive purposes only.'' but by an ir formal arrangement with the British go, ernment clearance has been refused Bri ish ships at American ports unless the disposed of their guns.
 'Out of these phases of the questio there was belief in diplomatic quarter however. that some solution of the queI tions involved eventually would reached without any repetition in tf meantime of such a disaster as befell th Lusitania.