The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-07-27
FIRMNESS AND
COURTESY IN REPLY
Continued from page -


| Continued from page -
involving danger to or loss OF Ameri-
can lives. Germany might be az
firm" as she pleased.
| It was conceded that the situation
| was somewhat tense and admitted
that it might become critical at any
moment, but for the time 1t was said
there was nothing to be excited over.
viii Get Detailed Story.
| LONDON, July PA detailed story
of the sinking of the American steam
or Leelanaw by German submarine
of the Orkey Islands will be obtained
| by American Consul Dennison when
Captain Delk and the Leelanaw's crew
reach Dundee late today or tomorrow.
Ambassador Page instructed Denni-
son by wire today to obtain affidavits
from the Leelanaw's officers to be for
warded to the state department. Den
nison replied that he had received
message stating the Leelanaw's crew
left KirkwaIl this morning and that
he would begin Investigation immedi-
ately after their arrival here.
American Preparedness.
| WASHINGTON, July Secretary
Of War Garrison on his return from
Seabright. n. j.. today, called con-
ference with Assistant Secretary Of
War Breckenridge, General Hugh
Scott, chief Of staff, and General
Bliss, assistant chief. to go over ten
tative draft Of an army re-organtza-
ton plan which the secretary expects
to submit to the president, on the lat
ter's return from Cornish.
Despite the secretary's protest that
no hurry up" national defense pro-
gram is in view, there were indica-
lions that the department was not
losing time in whipping plans into
shape.
Persistent rumors OF an extra con-
gressional session could not be veri-
fed. but it was generally believed the
president wishes, if possible, to con-
vene the houses by October /, tina.
there may be an early start on work
ing out army and navy defense prob
lens.
There was good authority for the
statement, however, that such plans
will be dropped if the international
situation should reach a point where
assembling the lawmakers with the
risk of being misunderstood abroad,
might defeat diplomacy's ends and
add to the danger.
Reports that the army is keeping
secret the formula for a deadly shell.
which, one officer was quoted as say
ing, will surprise the Germans"
elected this comment from Secretary
Garrison:
"If they are keeping the formula
rot
me also. l know nothing OF It."
In Naval Lieutenant Commander @.
E Courtney's absence at sea, conflr-
that he had designed a submersible
cruiss-, bat na-a, officers said they
had heard he was working on such an
idea and that they considered 1t feas-
ible.
! The department refused to confirm
! rumors that naval officers assigned to
| foreign stations had been ordered to
remain at home until the international
situation clears.
Note Being Changed.
rBy Charles P. Stewart. United Press
staff Correspondent
| WASHINGTON, July 27-Just a
faint glimmer OF hope shone on the
state department today that a way
was opening out OF Americas difficult
ties both with Germany and Great
: Britain.
1t was recognized that it might be
, mere will O the wisp. but officials
} preferred to trust that it was the real
J thing.
Its form was that Of a cable from
British Foreign Minister Sir Edward
Grey to the effect that he was prepar-
ing supplement to his note relative
: to the order N council. coupled with
4 request, which department officials
| declared would be complied with, tina.
> the original note be withheld from
publication in the United States until
the supplement arrived.
AS to this supplements s,1rpose m
intimation was given, but It was s1r,
/ missed that it must mean some change
) in the British blockade policy
Did it foreshadow. officials asked
: one another, that the Britisb wara
willing to modify their "starvstior
warfare II assured that German