South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-06-19

WASHINGTON, June 19.-Interest
in the German answer TO the Amer
lean note and forecasts of its con-
tents took a secondary place here to-
day as the international trouble OF the
administration multiplied.
There was no attempt TO minimize
The importance of the German situa-
ton. but it is now practically settled
that this Country's controversy with
the kaiser's government will remain
inactive for two weeks, and mean
while other serious questions are aris-
ing TO divert the official and diplo-
matte mind.
The preparation OF a firm note to
Great Britain regarding its interfer-
ence with nOn-cOntraband American
cargOes: the complaint Of the Swedish
minister here that English censOrs are
tamDering with mail 20 his country,
the approximately beligerent atti-
tude OF some of the Mexican Leaders
regarding the announcement of this
government that peace must be re-
stored I'm that republic, and the up
rising OF the Yaqui Indians in Son
ora. have piled trouble on the heads
OF administration officials who have
been under a severe strain for weeks.
Berlin Is Optimistic.
Reports from Berlin that an i'm
portant conference between German
officials and Dr. Meyer Gerhard. the
special emissary of the German am
bassadOr here, has been held and that
there are predictions in the German
capital that an amicable settlement is
10 be reached encouraged official
Washington today.
Ii is appreciated, however that the
actual preparation of the German re-
ply has not been begun and that not
even the German foreign Office itself
claims to know at this time what it's
language will be Nevertheless. il is
REGARDED as hopeful sign that in
both Berlin and Washington there
seems 10 prevail a feeling that the
situation has improved and a settle
ment may be reached.
The state department has closed
the Never Gerhard incident SeC'y
Lansing having accepted the German
ambassadors statement that no
hoax" had been perpetrated on the
United States.
Administration officials. therefore.
turning from Germany 10 Great Brit
ain. are understood To have decided
to make plain 20 Sir Edward Grey
that positive assurances are desired
from England that there Will oe no
further unwarTanted interference
with American commerce by British
war vessels which practically are IN
control of the seas. Great Britain rs
20 be asked 10 accept this country :
view OF international law touchlng
n-c0ntraband commerce just as
Germany has been asked to accept
the view of the United States as 10
sections OF international law which
should govern her submarine cam
paign
To Insist on Freedom OF seas
The United States note 20 Great
Britain it is understood. VIII insist
upon the freedom OF the 2as for neu-
trail trade and a modification Of the
British order I'm council. a way meas
ure. which has been responsible
largely for the Interference with
American cargoes destined 90 neutral
ports II viii bc contended further.
according 90 authoritative reports
that non-contraband shipments, even
z consigned 20 the port of an enemy
country are not subject 10 seizure un-
less general blockade is being MAIN
tanned. This government has not con-
strued the British order as general
n character.
Omclals have a perpleNing and new
problem in the complaint OF the
swedish minister thar private mail IS
1einE opened as it passes through
England. II Is doubtful that this gov
efnment can do more than transmit
ne complaint % Great Britain. but
-he exports Of the state department
are said 90 be examining the laws
ana precedents on the subject today.