Norwich bulletin., 1915-05-15

lister of foreign affairs in Berlin until
some time tomorrow.
ReIayed at Rome.
Secretary Bryan received a message
from Ambassador Thomas Nelson
Page at Rome saying the note, which
had been addressed to the American
embassy there to be forwarded by tel
egraph, had arrived at 2 p. m. today
and that in an hour and forty minutes
1t had been copied and relayed to Ber-
lin by telegraph via Vienna
Inasmuch as it would require a few
hours to decipher the note, it was be-
Heved by state department officials
that it would not be ready for presen-
tation until late this evening and un-
less Ambassador Gerard had arranged
a special engagement with the foreign
minister, it would probably not be
read to Mr.. Won Jagow until tomor-
row.
All Absorbing Topic in Washington.
Official Washington talked of little
else than the note today The prac-
tically unanimous approval given it
in the editorial comment of the Amer
lean press. the statements of govern
ors. senators and members of the house
was re- enforced by an incessant
stream of messages from persons of
every political party and from a va
riety of organizations and associa-
tionS. President Wilson told his callers
he was deeply grateful and appreciated
the patriotic support that was being
given him on every side.
President Wilson Appears Relieved,
The president appeared somewhat
relieved of the strain of the last week.
This was due to the fact that there
would be probably no further diplo-
macy until some intimation came from
Ambassador Gerard as~to how the of
ficials of the German government in
formally regarded the tone and re-
quests of the note. Tonight the pres
ident went away on his yacht, the
Mayfower, with members of his fam
lily for a quiet trip to New York, where
he will review the Atlantic fleet.
No Comment by German Embassy.
Count Won Bernstorff, the German
ambassador, called on Secretary Bry-
an with the express purpose of warn
ing him that none of the published
stories were true which purported to
give anonymous views of members of
the embassy staff to the effect that
Germany would refuse to meet the
American notes suggestion. He asked
the cooperation of the state depart
ment to prevent the spread of this
misinformation and Mr. Bryan made
formal announcement of the request.
German Ambassador Pleased.
erS later that he knew absolutely moth
ing of the position af his government,
because he had received no commu-
nication and naturally would not until
the note itself had been presented. He
declined to discuss his own views for
publication. Some of his friends in
dicated later that the ambassador was
pleased with the friendly tone of the
note and was himself hopeful and con-
f1dent that the questions in dispute
could be satisfactorily settled through
diplomacy.
Early Reply Looked For.
In all quarters it was believed Ger
many would not delay her reply, but
that high officials of the German gov
ernment would take It nder immediate
consideration when it arrived in Ber-
lin. The belief was held by well-in-
formed European diplomats that Ger
many would consider carefully the
military advantages Of continued at
tacks on enemy merchant ships and
probably would consent to abandon
them only if food supply in some way
were guaranteed, as German conf
dence is strong that the allies can be
kept at bay in the eastern and western
theaters of war indefinitely.