The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-07-26
GERMANY rs MAD
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there was so little dissent from the
view that the American demands
were impossible as to leave little
room for theory that editors failed
properly to represent public opinion
throughout the fatherland.
! Reports of the violent renewal OF
German submarine warfare, though
there was no intimation that 1t had
involved loss Of American property
or lives thus far. was taken In some
quarters as somewhat in the nature
of an official intimatton that Ameri'
cas- wishes could not be regarded.
| Still, the tone of Washfngton's
comment was not entirely pessimis.
! tic.
To end profitless conversation.
which with undue prolongat1on,
threatened danger, it became neces-
sary, it was pointed out, for the
| Washington administration TO as
sumo a certain peremptoriness OF
| tone in its last weeks communities
ton to Berlin. This time, 1t was pre-
dicted Immediately after the notes
! dispatch. would cause momentary
. anger in Berlin. Many Of the same
persons who made the prediction,
however, expressed the opinion that
the Germans would get over their
think so today.
Statements frequently made, that
oflcialdom is solidly behind the presi-
dent are not literally true.
! The chief executive unquestionably
has the unanimous backing Of his i'm
mediate official family. A majority OF
members of congress likewise support
him, according to expressions from
those who have visited Washington or
have telegraphed or written to the
white house. The same Is true OF
minor officialdom in Washington
4 A minority, however, of congress
men and of local officials, takes a CON
trary view.
Congressional representatives In
both houses from localities which
have suffered seriously from British
interference with American over seas
trade IL they do not take pro-Ger-
man, certainly do take an anti-English
4 attitude.
The fling Of the expected protest
with the London foreign Office against
the British order in council seemed
likely indeed to bring these law max.
ers into line, but in the meantime
!, they could not fairly be said to be
qualified administration supporters.
/ The country at large as distinct
from these comparatively small
circles, gave every evidence Of the
} heartiest approval Of the administra.
TONS course. Letters and kilograms
! poured into the white house in the
| presidents absence endorsing the note
warmly.
The memorandum included a pro
test against British interference witt
American overseas commerce under
the orders provisions. Secretary
Lansing said he had not yet had time
Ito read the communication and did moi
know whether or not it was concilia
tory in tone. He admitted, howeve:
lit would delay transmission of the
Forthcoming American message on the
same subject. 1t Is surmised the Lon
don foreign Office thought the time 90
nortune for sending its own dispatch
Panicky Half Hour.
rRy Charles P. Stewart, United Press
Staff Correspondent
WASHINGTON, July 26.-Washing
ton had a panfcky half hour today.
: News of the torpedoing OF the
American ship Leelanaw came like g
blow between the eyes. At first Off
Gals tried to doubt the story. 1t was
too positive and circumstantial tc
doubt long.
The pessimism settled thickly ovel
officials. It was owned that the Ger
man submarines action looked like
an answer to the latest American
note-an answer delivered with
promptness and in a form which
threatened more than a diplomatic
break-one which threatened war.
Later. however, came advices thai
the German commander scrupulousi!
observed all the formalities Of visit
,, and search that he declared tn. Lee
, lanaw's cargo contraband, that ne
rave the crew ample time to take te
their boats and that the vessel was
not DESTROYED until all were safe.
Of,cials did not try to hide the re
?, lief thew felt when told these facts by
} the United Press, the same source
from which they received the first
news of the torpedoing.
An official version of the incident
was still lacking, but there was nc
: hesitation in the pronouncing of ar
unofficial verdict.
The Leelanaw and Frye cases
seemed to fall under the same genera
heads; they were matters for diplo
. matte discussion, but neither OF them
suggested the necessity for ill-feelins
between the two governments.
If the cargo was contraband 1t was
said the Germans were entitled to de
stroy IT There was room for opinion
az to whether or not it was contra
hand but it would be diplomatic
difference Of opinion, merely.
Tia point also was made that the