The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1915-05-21
GERMANY TO TAKE TINE
IN ANSWERING AMERICA
LIKELY BE BUSY WITH ITALIAN
SITUATION.
Washington Thinks Week May
EIapSe Before the Paper is
Received From Berlin.

EIapSe Before the Paper is
Received From Berlin.
Washington, May 1S.-Two import
ant factors. it became known tonight,
are working to delay for another week
Germany's reply to tle Lusitania
note
First, the next few days are ex-
pected to show whether Germany will
be confronted with new military sit
uation by the entrance of Italy into
the war.
Second, interested displomatists here
believe the interim Of delay will re-
veal whether the United States of its
initiative will send a general protest
to the allies against alleged violations
of international law by interfering
with commerce between American
ports and neutral European countries.
Officials here generally think the
Austro-Italian situation may absorb
the attention of the German govern
ment and delay final composition Of
the reply. 1t is realized that should
Italy become a belligerent, Germany
would lose all hope of obtaining food
stuffs or other supplies through the
Mediterranean, and if Roumania fol-
lowed Italy's lead, as predicted, the
wheat supply from southwest Europe
woludl be cut off. In such circum-
stances, it was explained in diplomatic
quarters, Germany would find the sub
marine eYen more invaluable as a
weapon for reducing enemy supplies
and commerce.
To Prove Fairness.
The idea that the United States Will
send a note 10 the allies seeking modl-
|, ,fcation of the order in council has its
origin in quarters where the convinc-
ton is held that such move would
demonstrate to Germany that the Unit
ed States intends to be equally vigor-
! Gus in insisting upon the observance
of neutral rights by Great Britain and
her allies, making unnecessary an Of
fer by Germany to return to the mari
time rules of International law if the
allies do likewise.
Although without definite informa-
ton. there is a disposition in we'll in
formed quarters here to believe the
president will withhold any represen-
tations to England until Germanys re-
ply is received, because of desire to
obtain a frank understanding with
Germany without complicating the sit
uation existing between the United
States and the allies.
1t is known that for several weeks
there have been under preparation two
notes eventually to be sent to Great
Britain. one dealing with the general
subject of contraband and the other
embracing general representations on
, detention of vessels plying between
neutral ports carrying non-contraband
American goods. Secretary Bryan
said today tlat from 20 to 80 ships
mad been detained by the allies, most
of them carrying cotton. He explained
the state department was not yet in
possession of all the facts and was in
vestigating. British officials here in
dicated that, in their opinion, most OF
the detentions and delays were due %
carelessness by American slippers in
failing to give selling prices and other
information in their invoices.
! Look For Cancellation.
In diplomatic quarters friendly to
Germany it is. confidently believed that
the German reply to the United States
will be conciliatory and make broad
I,concessions in principle if it is certain
that strong efforts will be made to in
duce the allies to abandon their com
mercial embargo. There is little fear
now that any passenger ships will be
| torpedoed while the diplomatic dis
cussions are in progress, for it was
pointed out that since suggestions OF
the Austrian and German embassies
here that the submarine program be
suspended !2ad reached Vienna and
Berlin, there had been no sucn attacks,
although many opportunities appa-
rently had presented themselves.
The Lusitania case, it is believed,
will be dealt with separately from tne
general subject in the German reply
Comments of. tle Berlin press confirm
views expressed here that Germany
will disavow any intention Of destaroy-
ing American lives, contending that all
would have been saved but for explo-
sions in the ammunition cargo.