The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1915-06-30
FAVORABLE REPLY
EXPECTED SOON
CERMANY'S ANSWER WILL BE
SATISFACTORY
Prediction Made in Official State
ment From Ambassador Gerard
to State Department.

ment From AmbassaooT Neiaie
to State Department.
Washington, June 28.- Favorable
reply from Germany to the last
American note concerning submarine
warfare and the sinking of the Lusi-
taina was. predicted in an official dis
patch from Ambassador Gerard to-
day. The state department transmit
ted the communication to President
Wilson at Cornish, N. H.
The ambassador did not attempt to
outline the fo thcoming German
note, but described the atmosphere
in Berlin official quarters as favora-
BILE to a satisfactory reply. He re-
ferred to the visit of DR.. Anton Mey-
er-Gerhard, the emissary of Count
Won Bernstorff, the German ambassa-
dor, pointing out that the ambassa-
doris information apparently had i'm
pressed the German government that
the United States did not want war
with Germany, but desired a salts
factory reply to her original demands
The fact that Ambassador Gerard
took occasion to predict informally
the nature of the reply was regard
ed as significant in official quarters
here, where it was pointed out that
the ambassadors forecasts in the
past had been conservative and con-
sistent. The text of the last German
note bore out his predictions.
Ambassador Gerard understands
the German official purpose to be to
make no concessions which will af-
feet the use of submarines as a
means of warning on the commerce
of Great Britain, but to propose some
way by which American lives and
legitimate interests will be safe
guarded.
Officials here have no hint as to
the methods by which this object is
to be attained, but from previous dis
patches it is assumed an arrange
ment will be suggested whereby Ger
man submarines would cease attacks
on ships of any nationality primarily
used for passenger travel, while con-
tinuing to wage vigorous warfare on
enemy ships devoted chiefly to the
transportation of contraband. 1t is
not known whether it is proposed to
give passenger ships complete i'm
munity or whether assurances will
be asked that if signaled by sub
marine for visit and search they will
offer no resistance.
No intimation has come to the
state department as to when the Ger
man note will reach here, but it is be-
lieved the communication will be
completed within ten days.
Ambassador Gerard based his OBJ
servations on the favorable effect
which the visit of DR.. Anton Meyer
Gerhard, emissary of Count Bern
storff, produced on Berlin officials.
DR.. Gerhard was understood by
Ambassador Gerard to have reported
that public opinion in the United
States had been growing more anc
more favorable to Germany when the
sinking of the Lusitania undid what
had been accomplished. Gerhard
made it clear also that the United
States did not want war, but wanted
satisfactory reply to its represen
tations.
German officials are eager, accord
ing to Ambassador Gerard's report
to give such an answer, but at thu
same time they have made it cleal
that Germany can not make any con
cessions which would destroy the eff
fectiveness of the submarine as al
offensive weapon.
1t is understood Germany is trying
to find some method by which Ameri
cans travelling on ships primarily uset
for passenger traffic shall be saf'
while the submarine continues to b.
used in attacking belligerent freigh
ships carrying chiefly contraband.
Just what proposal Germany will
make to accomplish that object, off
cials here can not conjecture; bu