The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-05-19
Probable Entrance of Italy Into War Causes Belief That Answer to Protest Will Be Postponed
HUNDRED U. s. MAY SEND A PROTEST TO
 THE ALLIED NATIONS
International Crisis as Re-
 sulting From 1taly's Atti- tude May Have Marked
 Effect on Kaiser's Reply

Washington. May iS.--Two im- portant factors, il became known to- night, are working to delay for an- other week Germany's reply to the Lusitania note.
 First. the next few days are ex- pected to show whether Germany will he confronted with new military situation by the entrance of Italy into the war.
 second interested diplomatiats here be- lieve the interim of delay will reveal whether the United States of it's own initiative win send a general protest to the allies against alleged violations of international law by interfering with commerce between American ports and neutral European countries
 officials here generally think the Aus tro-ltalian situation may absorb the at tention of the German Government and delay final composition of the reply. II is realized that should Italy become a belligerent Germany would lose all hope Of obtaining foodstuffs or other supplies through the Mediterranean, and if Ro1- mania followed 1taly's lead. as predicted, the wheat supply from southeastern Europe would he cut off In such cir cumstances it was explained in diplomatic quarters, Germany would fad the sub marine even more invaluable as a weapon for reducing enemy supplies aud com merce
 Note to Allies
 Tho idse tmt the tfnltei States Will send note to the allies seeking modtfi- cations of the order in council has it origin in quarters where the conviction Is held that such move would demon- strate to Germany hat the United States Intends to be equally Vigorous in insisting on the observance of neutral rights by Great Britain and her allies. making un- necessary an offer hy Germany to re- turn to the maritime rules of international law if the allies do likewise,
 Although without detinte information, thefe is a disposition in well informed quarters here 10 believe the President will withhold any representations to England until Germanys reply Is received, be- cause of desire to obtain frank un- derstandlng with Germany without com- plicating the situation existing between the United States and the allies l It Is known that for several weeks. there has been under preparation two notes eventually to be sent to Great 1 Britain, one dealing with the general sub ject of contraband and the other enlbrar- 1 irg general representations on deten- ] tons of vessels plying between neutral ports carrying noneontraband American l goods.
 l Secretary Bryan said today that from | % to 50 ships had been detained by the allies. most of them carrying cotton. He explained the state department was not yet in possession of all tho facts and was Investigating. British officials here in- dieated that, in their opinion. most or the detentions and delays were due to
 earelessness by American shippers in fai'- I ing to give selling priees and other in- formation in their invoices
 Expects Friendly Reply
 In diplomatic quarters friendly to Ger
 many it Is confidently believed that tha
 German reply to the United States wiu
 be conciatory and make broad conces-
 slons In principle. if it is certain that strong efforts will be made to induce the allies to dDandOn the tDmintltidi tft- bargo. There Is little fear now that any passenger ships will be torpedoed while the diplomatic discussions are in progress, 1 for 1t was pointed out that since the l suggestions of the Austrian and German embassies here that the submarine pro- 1 gramme be suspended had reached Vienna and Berlin, there had teen nc such att tacks although many opportunities ap- parently had presented themselves. | The Lusitania case, it Is believed, will be dealt with separately from the gen- eral subject in the German reply Com ments of the Berlin press confirm views expressed here that Germany will dis avow any intention of destroying Ameri- can lives, contenting that all would have
 been saved. but for explosions in the an,- intuition cargo.
 T In the general speculation in official
 and diplomatic circles as to the possible severance of diplomatic relations between
 the United States and Germany, Brazil
 and Argentina are most frequently men
 toned as the nations likely to take over the diplomatic interests of the United ; States in Germany and Austria as well
 as those of countries whose affairs now
 are cared for by the American embassies
 and consulates.