The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-07-17
German Ambassador De-
clares Note Paves Way
for Settlement
KAISER'S ENVOY ANX-
IOUS FOR MEDIATION
Great Britain Not Likely to
End Blockade Because
Of Her Commerce

Washington, d. G., July l7.--Count VOL
Bernstorff, the German ambassador, tolt
Secretary Lansing yesterday he believed
the German reply to the last American
note on submarine warfare presented al
opportunity for settlement of the con
troversy by further diplomatic negotia
! ton.
/ The ambassador conferred with Mr.
Lansing an hour and talked later with
Assistant Secretary Phillips. In the alb
sence Of President Wilson, Secretary
Lansing was unable to inform the am.
bassador what course the United States
would pursue in its next note, but he
heard with much interest Count Won
Bernstorff's explanation of the purposes
Of the German government to satisfy
public opinion at home on the mainte-
nance of submarine warfare and at the
same time to maintain friendly relations
with the United States.
The ambassador personally is con-
WINGED there will be no repetition of the
Lusitania disaster, and that German
submarines now are exercising great pre-
caution to avoid incidents which might
infame public opinion in the United
States. With that idea in mind, he urged
that the United States take advantage
OF the intimation in Berlin's reply that
Germany would be willing to have the
entire question of freedom of the seas
mediated with Great Britain through the
American government.
Such course American officials have
indicated might be more welcome If ac-
companied by some assurance that dur
ing the tendency of the negotiations
American vessels and lives would be safe
from attack and danger.
Count Bernstorff declined to reveal
conference beyond saying ii was very
satisfactory interview, and he felt en-
couraged to believe the danger OF rup-
ture in relations had been reduced He
based his optimism on the view that the
German government did not want break
and would do all in its power to prevent
one. He is confident that the United
States holds similar view. The ambas-
sador is strongly of the opinion that
diplomacy will be able to settle the
issue.
The torpedoing of the American steam
er Nebraskan, for which Germany has
expressed regret and promised repars.
ton, also was discussed.
The note from Austria Hungary on
war exports was not discussed, ii was
stated on the highest authority.
The ambassador discussed with Mr..
Phillips arrangements originally made
for the safe conduct Of DIR. Anton Meyer
who went to Berlin as a per-
sonal envoy of Count Won Bernstorff.
Safe conduct was given for DIR. Meyer
with the idea that he would
return to the United States. Now il Is
believed he viii not return and that
arrangements are being made to relieve
him of any pledge he may have given.
The evident desire of Germany, or at
east of the ambassador, is for mediation |
IN the subject Of freedom of the seas,
and there is a strong undercurTent of |
speculation whether, If this is seriously |
with the concurrence Of Ber-
in and London, il may not prove the
prelude 10 the ending of the European |
var and general peace. Nevertheless, Il /
$ idle 20 attempt TO conceal the fact
hat there are difficulties in the way Of /
in adjustment.
II Is a fact that. while Great Britain /
5 suffering losses Of ships from the Ger
nan submarines, her commerce Is practi.
ally unimpaired and her thipmasters
md shipping companies are making IN
ieard-of profits, whereas the German
commerce has been wiped from the seas.
Tn,ftsh st.s.s,.a, hara fneI Tpe1srH Il
) suffering far less from the German
ubmarine war than Germany is suffer
NJ BY the throttling Of German com.
nerce. Consequently, il may well be
QUILTED If this country, no matter how
rillinr il might be 10 mediate, could
ring about any results