The Washington times., 1915-04-07
RECALL OF GERMAN
AMBASSADOR HERE
STRONGLY H|NTED
embassy's Statement Referring
to 0denwaId Case Meets
DisapprovaI. g..

The remarkable statement given ou,
yesterday from the German embassy
critidsing the course of American Off.
cials regarding the steamer Odenwald
has caused speculation here whether
1t may not lead to the recall of Am.
bassador Won Bernstorn.
The Odenwald statement, which was
most extraordinary utteranca to come
from diplomat, has revived such rlI-
mors that Won Bernstorff may bc rc.
placed by some German possessing u
clearer perception of American feeling
1t Is considered certainty that a
disposition on the part of the German
ambassador to continue the making of
offensive and insinuating statements
will not be conducive to his lengthy
tenure in Washington. 1t would cause
little surprise if Washington should
request the recall of Won Bcrnstorir.
There Is much comment here on Ger
many's growing attitude of unfriendli-
ness toward the United states. Official
dom is silent, but it is the belief of
diplomatists that the expulsion of Gif-
ford Pinchot from Belgium and the
Odenwold and Falaba incidents have
tended to increase largely the unpleas-
antness between Washington and Ber-
lin.
Officials Refuse Comment.
Responding to the demand of the
German embassy for an investigation
In the case of the steamer Odenwald.
which was halted in tho harbQr of San
Juan by the guns of MORO Castle, the
State Department has called on the de-
partmcnts concerned for statements of
facts.
Officials refused to comment on the
German statement regarding the Odcn-
wald. in which the stopping OF the
vessel was called an attack" and
charging that the United States d's-
regarded rules of international law.
At the White House. too. all com
ment was refused. Officials would say
nothing which could .c interpreted as
showing they felt there was growing
unfriendliness in the attitude Of Ger
many toward this country
Nevertheless, widespread talk is cur
rent over the jarrinE statement Of the
Germany embassy apropos of the Oden-
wald and over such other incidents as
tIe OIL flncnOl lIoIl
Belgium. the recall of American mill
tary observers, and Germany's effort
to avoid all responsibility for the death
Of Leon c. Thrasher on the steamer
Ifalaba. and the like.
The German embassy's Odenwald
statement Is flat dispute of the facts
as understood here. The war Depart
ments original statement embodying
the report OF Lieutenant Colonel Burn
ham, at san Juan, said warning shots
tant Secretary Peters. of the Treasury
Department, said warning shots were
fired. Lieutenant Colonel Burnham re-
ported that after the warning shots,
Odenwald by one of the five-inch guns
OF Moro Castle.
Given Ample Warning.
That the Odenwald was given ample
warning and was treated with all con-
sideration Is asserted by Treasury Of
ficials Without commenting on the
tone Of the German statement they set
forth the facts and indicate they are
not at all as stated by the German en-
bassy. The Odcnwald was twice in
spected. and no objection was found TO
giving clearance The first inspection
was on a Thursday, to find out If
arms or ammunition We're on board.
This inspection was satisfactory. Then
the Treasury asked that Il be ascer-
tained whether there were gun en-
placements or other arrangements FOR
the apparent purpose of converting the
vessel to a man-of-war at sea. This in
spection was satisfactory.
The OdenWald went on putting on
coal and provisions. the Treasury
as usual held back clearance until tax
ing on of coal and provisions was COM
Dleted, and then. on Sunday morning.
without waiting for clearance, the Cd