Evening capital and Maryland gazette., 1915-07-23
NOTE ON WAY; MAY
ROUSE GERMAN IRE
Officials Feel Anxious About the
Reply's Reception in Germany.
REGARD 1T AS A SHOCK.
Text Will be Published Here Tomorrow
Popular Approval Here Pre-
dicted.

With the receipt by the German
Government last night or today of
what is regarded at Washington as the
last word of the United States on the
submarine issue the future of the re-
lations between the two governments
will lie entirely in the hands of the
German Government
There is a solemn realization in
Washington of the power that Ger
many holds to determine by perhaps a
single operation of one of her subma-
rines whether or not friendly inter-
course with the United States is to
continue. The despatch of the note
before midnight Wednesday night,
within little more than twetny-four
hours after the Cabinets first and
only discussion of the matter has had
a SOLDERING effect in Washington
Officials are satisfied, however that
the prompt action by the Government
will have good effect in this country
They believe that ii will serve to con
vince the public that the Administra-
ton has no doubt as TO what course TO
pursue and that it has the courage to
act promptly upon its convictions.
They believe, also, that when the
complete text of the note is publish
ed in this country on Sunday morning
Il will receive the approval of those
who have been insisting that futile
discussion be brought to an end and
that the position of the United States
he maintained with honor, firmness
and dignity
Now that the note has actually left
the hands of this Government, the most
earnest thought is being given to the
possibilities of the situation after its
receipt in Beeip. Such information
as has come to the attention of Off
cials here about the state of the pub
lie mind in Germany has led them to
look to Berlin with some anxiety
The note does not necessarily call
for a reply by the German Govern
ment, though it is thought that Ger
many may answer with arguments
and suggestions which she will not ex-
pect the United States to accept
There is also the possibility that the
Berlin Government will decide to an
swer the Presidents demands and Of
fer some real concessions.
But what is causing real anxiety is
the fact that Germany may answer
any day with an attack on American
life and abruptly put an end to the
possibility of any further diplomatic
representations While the note it
self does not contain any intimation
of what course this Government will
pursue in case Germany makes such
an attack in the face of the American
warning that it will be regarded as AN
unfriendly act" il is believed that a
| severance of diplomatic relations and
the summoning ofCongress will follow
Recent reports from Berlin have
caused many here to feel that there is
a reason for anxiety that the latest
note from Washington may arouse
anger among the German people lead
| ing to some reckless action IL has
been noted that the Germans persist
in regarding reports of the unani.
modsly unfavorable verdict on theiI
note of July S as fabrications inspired
by the British or the British press
in this country.
Il has also been observed that the
German press is expressing supreme
confidence in the acceptance by the
United States of the proposals sub
mitted by Germany and also that the
United States certainly will say NJ
more about it's demands that Ameri
cans be permitted TO travel the higl
| seas in safety.
Whatever may be cause of the per
! sistence of this view on the part o
the Germans. there is a general con
yiction that the note sent last nigh
will come as q severe shock and /;
rude awakening While there is ever,
reason to believe that the GermanAm
bassador has kept his Governmen
fully advised as to what TO expect ii
this note no doubt exists that the com
munication to be delivered tomorrow
is far from what the German peopl
generally are expecting.
What will follow the shock and sur
prise is now matter of deep concerl
to Washington officials, though the
are counting partly on the friendl-
character of the note to Offset this. I
has long been felt here that the Ger
man notes have been written largeI
with a view TO making a favorabl
impression upon public opinion a
home If the American note serves L
anger the German people it is con
sideTed barely possible that the pop
ular ferment may be such as to max
the Berlin Governments handling 0
the situation doubly difficult
In view of the undisputed fact tha
the German people regard their sub
marine campaign as the creates
achievement of the war, not to b,
modified or altered under any circum
stances, it is considered reasonabI,
here to expect mat next week tn,
German precs nay be demanding tina
the Greman Government act vigorous
ly TO prove to the United States tina
the latter's demands are beyond con
sideration.