Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1915-06-09
Action of Won Bernstorff In
Sending Special Messenger
to Berlin Starts New
Crop of Rumors.
CABINET PASSES ON NOTE
Believed Germany Hopes to
Gain Time and Let Americans
Cool Off By Prolonging
Controversy.

Washington. D.. C.. June Such
Gouble with Germany rests in the pos
slb1llty that the controversy arising
from the sinking OF the l%usitania will
enter into the stages of lengthy diplo-
matte exchanges under cover Of which
Germany will yield sufficiently to pre-
VEN a clash.
With the president about ready to
send his second note to Germany and
Ambassador Won Rernstorff soon to
send a special agent OF representative
OF the embassy to Berlin to lay the
situation fully before the German
foreign office. 1t was the view of some
of the most competent authority here
that the tension has been slightly but
perceptibly reduced.
Realize Danger In Haste.
Germany has all along been e%ndeavor-
Ing to steer the controversy into diplo-
matte channels wherein it would ba
possible to dispose of the controversy
In more or less l%eisurely fashion. APP
parently. Berlin realizes the danger
that lies in haste, while the American
temper is as bitter as it is now over
the drowning of noncombatant men,
women and children when the Lusi-
tania was summarized.
Although a good many officials fear
Germany wants to drag the United
States into the a on the whole there
Is evidence that her course is rather to
spin out the exciting contention and
prevent a breach.
When John Hay was secretary. he
used to say: Let us diplomats get a
chance at d controversy, and We'll pre-
servers here see signs that things are
working in the direction of a peaceful
solution of the German question by
diplomatic methods.
Cabinet Passes On Note.
Today. first interest centers on Inc
cabinet meeting and the submission Of
the second note to the cabinet by the
president. 1t was the expectation this
morning that the note would receive
the stamp of approval from the cabinet
today and that it would go to Berlin
in a short time, probably tonight.
Nothing has occurred to change the
forecasts Of the president s new note. 1t
is expected. briefly and clearly. but not
o~ffensively. to insist that Germany as
sure his country that American neu-
trail rights will be respected and war
fare carried on upon the sea with due
by civilized nations. The controversy
over certain alleged facts which Ger
many seeks to raise will not be per-
mitted to obscure the real issue.
The ~affidavits filed by the German
embassy in reference to guns on the
LuGlLclIllo GIG lOOhCo VII Wy lllo 6ON C1 !.
ment as not pertinent to the main ques-
ton which is at stake.
Special Agent Unnamed.
In view of the decision of Ambassa-
dor Won Bernstorff to send a special
representative to Berlin, to give the
government there full and detailed in
formation about the conditions here
and the views of this government, as
we'll as public sentiment, information
which cannot be sent fully by cable or
!. letter, it is deemed likely the German
second reply will not be framed until
his representative has appeared at the
foreign office and had a conference
with Won Jagow and, perhaps, with the
kaiser. personally.
This government will not delay
this note on account of the mission of
the enlbassy's agent. but the German
1t, and the very delay achieved thereby
may prove to be a factor in lessening
the friction.
Gerhard Not a Citizen.
Meyer Gerhard, who sailed from New
York yesterday for Copenhagen on the
steamer United States. with a guar
antee of safe conduct obtained by the
American government from the allies
Is an attache of the German colonial
office n has been in the United
States severa months representing the
German Red Cross.
- oAoPuSSA "a IN CANOy VAS tut
basis of much confidence In German
quarters here, where it was believed
an understanding on submarine war
fare satisfactory to both Germany and
the United States could be evolved.
The days cabinet meeting began
with all members practically agreed
that the United States cannot consider
the German reply responsive and must
insist. before diplomatic correspond
nee can proceed further. upon an af-
firmative or negative answer to the
principle that lives of noncombatants
cannot lawfully be imperiled on the
high seas, but must be transferred tC
safety before a legitimate prize Is de-
stroyed.
Purpose Of ". s.
The purpose Of the United States is
to keep its rejoinder on the same high
plane al the note of May 13. Should
q negative answer be received, diplo-
matte relations. 1t is believed generally
could lot be continued. An affirma.
tive reply would make possible dis
cussion OF facts regarding individual
cases that have occurred.
The American point of view. brief.
ly, Is not the complete abandonment
Of submarine warfare. but its modi.
flcatiOn to such an extent that subma.
rines act as do other warships in deal
ing with the enemy's m Some
arrangement whereby merchant ships
carrying passengers would be definite.
ly known as unarrned vessels, is ont
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