Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1915-06-15
NOTE REACHES
GERMANY; WASH
|NCT0N CHEERFUL
Feeling That "Avenues to Peace
Parley," Purposely Included,
Will Be Accepted.
BRYAN MOVE STILL WORRIES
"May Mean to Germans Things Not
to Be Found in the
Note"
BRYAN MOVE STILL WORRIES

Washington, D. c., June 12.-Op
timism-more pronounced than il
has been since the diplomatic CORE
spondence with Germany over the
sea zones of war began-was mani
fest yesterday in official quarters
here over the prospects for peace
full outcome of the controversy be-
tween Germany and the United
States.
The American note, presented to
the Berlin foreign Office yesterday by
Ambassador Gerard, was interpreted
on all sides as decidedly friendly and
leaving the way open to satisfac-
tory solution with honor to both
sides.
Officials made it clear that the
note purposely had been phrased SO
as to reiterate the earnestness of the
United States with respect to the
principles of humanity and interna-
tional law and at the same time to
afford Germany an opportunity with
dignity to make her practice square
with the principles expressed.
1t was officially stated yesterday
Great Britain and her allies insist
ing on a change in the operation of
the blockade conducted by them so
as to conform with the principles of
international law forbdding inter-
ference with trade in noncontraband
articles passing to and from bel
ligerent country through a contig
uous neutral country.
This, it was generally believed,
would be an important factor in con-
vincing the German government that
the United States would maintain
the same vigorous position on the
fundamentals in international law
with respect to the allies as has been
the case in the American correspond
ence with Germany.
The statement issued last night by
Mr.. Bryan revealed that while secre-
tary of state he favored the sending
of a note urging prompt adherence
by the allies to the requests of the
American note OF March 80 to Great
Britain and France concerning the
order in council. He disclosed that
the president had differed with him
as to the time when the note would
be sent, but that the intention to
send such a communication was fix
ed.
Close reading in diplomatic quar-
tiers OF the latest note brought out a
variety of predictions and views as
to the manner in which Germany
would reply.
There was a feeling of confidence,
however, that Germany would &C
cept some of the several avenues of
approach purposely included in the
note by the American government SO
as to make possible a friendly set
Element.
Much importance was attached to
the statement of the willingness of
the United States to exercise its
good offices as between the belliger-
ents in any attempt to come to an
understanding "by which the char
acter and conditions of the war upon
the sea may be changed" This it was
believed in many quarters might re-
suit in correspondence that might
ultimately lead to peace negotia-
tions.
1t was learned, too, that copies of
the American note had been cabled
to the American embassies at Lon
don, Paris, Petrograd and Rome for
the information of the ambassadors
there and that copies would be de-
posted with the respective foreign
offices at these capitals.