Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-05-20
Hope Of Auerting Strife Not
Based Or Any Tangible Facts

Washington, ID. c., May lT.-Wlth
President Wilson bound for New York
to review the tlantic fleet and Secre-
tary of State Bryan sitting on the Id,
official Washington has settled down
calmly to wait for the reply to the Ger
man government to the American note.
A feeling of hope that no severing OF
relations with Berlin will result from
the note and the developments which
have led to it continues to be apparent.
High officials today talked In a hope
full strain and said they thought there
We're evidences that Germany would
seek a friendly way out of the difficulty.
Optimism Based On Hope.
This optimistic view is based, 1T
Is admitted. on inference and de-
duction rather than information.
Actually. there is probably not a
maj in Washington, even in the
German embassy, who really knows
what course Berlin will take. AT
any rate. Ambassador Won Bern
storff insists he has had no In
structions from his government II
that he has not predicted to the
newspapers what would be done.
The delay of a day in the transmits
sion of the note and the fact it could
not be presented before today at the
German foreign office, of course, de-
lays by so much the answer Of the Ber-
line government. The earliest that a
detailed reply is expected is the latter
part of the coming week. 1t may not be
that soon, and 10 days or two weeks
would not be an unusual time for the
formation of a reply of such I'M
portance. Acknowledgement Of receipt
is expected promptly.
Strong Influence For Peace.
The best Informed opinion here
continues to be that if the kaiser
and Chancellor Won Bethmann-
Hollweg dictate the course of the
German government there will be
peace but If Admiral Won Jirpitz
and the ultra military group die
tates it there will be a break. Re-
ports that the Influence of Austria
and Turkey will be thrown toward
peace with America INC that the
influence OF the vatican will be
swung in that direction are current
but these. like the predictions as to
what Germany will do. seem to be
based on impressions, not informa-
ton.
What Would United States Do7
1t Is apparent. however, that the
American note to Berlin has made all
europe and the entire civilized world
sit up and take notice. Despite the ut
ter unpreparedness of the United States
Tor war, there is some realization Of
the truth that If the United States il
compelled to enter the war will sooner
or later be an affair of tremendous i'm
portance. To throw the vast and un-
measured OF the United
States Into the scales in the present
war could not fail to affect the result
in the lon" run, though 1t nigh not af-
feet the situation for some months.
If war comes the very first thing the
government here will have to decide Is
whether to take an active or a passive
part in the struggle. Although many
predict there would be little actual par
temper Of the American people. might
dictate otherwise.
Would Encourage Neutrals.
Many here continue to believe that
Germany will avoid a break with Amer
lea for fear that II this country does
declare war it will encourage neutral
powers Of Europe now wrathful at
Germany hut hesitant about war. to
leap into the fray on the side of the
allies.
Not only Is Italy apparently ready to
Join the allies, but Rumania, Greece,
Holland. Norway n Sweden, 1t is
quite conceivable, might throw their
weight into the balance. in an effort,
nee for all. to smash Frussian mill
tarism.
Some Say Kaiser Wants War.
The belief that Germany is
eager to drag the United States
into the war on the theory it would
compel this country to keep Its
war munitions and supplies at
home. has many adherents here.
ManJ officials take that view. Such
a view finds believers among some
Of the foremost officials in the
government.
Some evidence of a convincing sort
can be put forth to sustain this theory,