Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-05-29
BERLIN HANDS GERARD
REPLY TO u. S. PROTEST
Continued from Page One

Continued from Page One
however, not only declined to comment on
It or to indicate it's nature, but forbade
his subordluates to discuss the situation
in any way,
Disconcerting reports that the German
note in reply to the American protest oil
the LusitanIa tragedy will be indirect,
with a prospect of protracted quibbling
over facts between the two nations were
understood today to be worrying officials
who are awaiting Germany's reply.
Although 1t Is asserted at the State
Department that no official forecast Of the
reply has been received American officials
cannot disregard entirely the apparently
trustworthy rumols from abroad that
Germanys reply, while concillatory, will
not conform in directness and frankness
to the note of President Wilson regarding
the submarine activity OF the Kaiser's
navy.
The uncertainty about the contents OF
the reply, relating particularly TO the
Lusitania case. the delay Of Germany In
adjusting the controversy which has
arisen out of the Gulhisht, Falaba and
Frye incidents and the growing under
current of feeling here that Germany
will attempt to proong diplomatic cor
respondence OH all these cases, gave
much concern to the Administration One
report was that Germany FIRST will seek
no. to the questions Ibid the Lusitania
have aboard war munitions for the AL
lies? Was she a peaceful merchantmen or
an auxiliary cruiser mounting concealed
cannOnH Did she carry Canadian soldiers
bound for the front?"
OF extreme Importance also is the re-
suit of the investigation now In progress
by American naval experts to determine
whether the steamer Nebraskan was
struck by a mine or torpedoed by a Ger
man submarine. A finding to the latter
effect will aggravRte greatly the present
delicate situation.
Much credence Is given here to reports
that before answering the United States
directly on the future conduct of its sub
marine warfare. Germany will stlpulate
that the United States confne its rep
reservations to the broad subject OF the
facts in the Lusitania case before TAX
ing up the general policy of submarine
attacks 1t Is pointed out that II these
rumors be true, Germany may consume
great deal Of time in reaching an agree
ment on facts before she gets down to
the real point involved-the safety of
American lives aboard passenger ships Of
belligerents or the vessels of neutraIs
II the reply, in effect. asks America to
define the terms prior TO an adjust
ment there is sure to be bitter disap-
pointIneht here. There are plenty OF evil
dences that the military party Ia trying
to shape Germany's policy, and If It sue
ceeds II Is felt It will be almost impos-
sble to continue friendly relations,
The President Is said to feel strongly
| that Americans win resent anything that
can be construed as dickering upon points
| OF national honor.
Much curiosity Is expressed In social
| circles concerning the Kaiser's where
abouts. 1t has been agreed that II he
dominates the situation Germany will
meet the United States half way, but no
! offieial advices from Berlin refer to him.
and 1t is understood Ambassador Gerard
has not seen him since the note was
| delivered.
/ It Is not expected the Nebraskan case
1 will figure I'm the German reply. II Will
/ be taken up later II the United States
/ decides a German submarine attacked
/ the ship.