The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-05-20

aware that Italy has arranged VIII
the United States to take over hel
interests in Constantinople, Vienna
| Berlin, il war Is actually declared ane
the United States is expected to rep
resent Austria at Rome. II Germany
has decided to turn her affairs ovel
to Switzerland, officials say 1t does
not necessarily Indicate that the I'M
perial government expects preahihs
off Of diplomatic relations with tne
United States. With the Swiss minis
ter acting, the German government
officials point out, would be IN pettel
position to communicate with hlH
through Geneva which is in dlrec,
wire communication with Vienna any
Berlin than through Washington
where communication Is uncertain.
| Despite torpedoing of the British
steamer Dumcree, certain officials at
| tached to German and Austrian EN-,
Ibassies continued to Insist there mad
| been a suspension Of submarine war
| fare by Germany against passenger
ships. They declared, however, that
it probably only applied to vessels
that could be presumed to carry Amer
leans.
| Ambassador Won Bernstorn himself
said he had no such Information as
the wireless through Sayville has not
been working satisfactorily for several
days because of static conditions. he
declined to admit he had recommend
ed such suspension, but it Is under
stood he not only did so, but also IN
| formed his home government that
loss OF another American life through
submarine activity would force Pres1-
dent Wilson to call congress together
| to act on q war declaration.
Very Specific Answer.
TBy John Edwin Neyin, United Press
Staff Correspondent
WASHINGTON, May 20.-Germany
has unof1icially accepted the general
principle that American citizens shall
be protected and safeguarded by the
United States under all conditions.
On the ground, however, that it Is
contrary to all rulings of international
law, she will reject the suggestion
that the United States can demand
complete abandonment Of her sub
marine warfare. She holds that
Americas legal rights extend only to
the protection Of vessels OF American
register, and to the safety of Amerl-
cans on board belligerent merchant
men.
This was understood this afternoon
to be the German position, as outlined
to Ambassador Gerard in the series OF
unofficial conferences which have fol-
lowed presentation of the Wilson
note to the Berlin foreign office. 1t
is further understood that in his re-
ports to the state department, which
were under consideration today ey
President Wilson, Gerard said, In SUD-
stance, such will be the general tone
of the official German reply.
Germany, it was stated, will make
her answer very specific.
She will take up the American note
paragraph by paragraph. from her I'M
iderstanding of the provisions of inter
national law bearing on the case. She
will warmly defend her submarine
warfare as a reprisal against an ca
envy which courted such reprisals by
arming her merchant ships, Offering
rewards for the destruction OF German
submarines, and will quote British
board of trade and shipping organiza-
tons resolutions as approving all the
methods that would destroy German
undersea craft.
In effect, it is understood German
officials have told Gerard they consid-
er they have been fighting fire with
fire and that any demand by the Unit
ed States that they completely cease
submarine activity is an improper one
in the light of international law.
Stories that the United States has
admitted the justice of the latter con-
tention were emphatically denied by
Secretary Bryan. He angrfly refused
to discuss the matter further in any
form, calling all questions in reference
to the matter improper. He made 1t
plain that he has 'clapped the lid
down on all news, 80 far as his de-
partment is concerned, regarding any
future developments in the German
situation.
Hereafter only such news as con-
slider proper to make public VIII be
given out" declared the secretary,
land any attempt to question me
about matters that deem confidential
NAV result in the offender being re-
fused admission to the department"
The president, however, has declar-
ed in speeches since the note was
sent. that the American opposition to
submarine warfare was on h1sn
humanitarian grounds. In that con-
nection, in the note to Germany. he
said: "The government of the United
States therefore desires to call the at
tention OF the imperial German gov
eminent with the utmost earnestness
to the fact that the objection OF Its
present method of attack as against
the trade of their enemies, lies in the
practical impossibiltty OF employing
submarines In the destruction OF COM
merce without disregarding those
rules of fairness, reason, justice and
humanity, which all modern OPINION
regards as imperative. Manifestly
submarines cannot be used against
merchantmen, as the last few weeks
have shown, without an inevitable VIC.
lotion of many sacred principles OF
Justice and humanity.
1t 1t is finally admitted that this
government has no Legal right to 40
more than use our influence 10 nave
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