New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-05
Safe Conduct for Sue
cessOrs May Be
Demanded.
u. S. TO STAND
FIRM ON RECALL
Allies Likely to Refuse
Protection to Boy-Ed
and Papen.
From The Tribune Burssu.I

Ifloni Ano AiAN~it' h-A'@-fi
Washington, Dec. 4.-Serious ten
sion developed here to-day over the
demand Of this government tha;
Captains Boy-Ed and Won Papen b.
recalled, and late tonight there were
indications that an actual break
might come over a situation which 1t
had been expected would be covered
without friction by diplomatic cour-
tesy. Germany, it was learned, -
likely TO show her resentment a: the
American demand by insisting that
safe conducts for new attaches to
come to this country be given before
she will recall the men who nave be-
come persona non grata, and also by
demanding bill Of particulars as 10
the charges against them.
Both Of these demands are con-
trary to all precedent. Under diplo-
matte usage, the mere word Of a
government that any man accredited
to it is unwelcome has always been
enough to insure his recall. What
ever resentment his government
nigh feel, it was believed TO have
no option as to its action, nor was It
expected to inquire into the reasons
that prompted the demand. If Ger
many, therefore, insists on these
points. officials admit a situation
novel in diplomacy and charged with
all kinds of possible trouble will de-
velop,
To Insist on Recall
The action Of this country in such
case is hardly open TO debate. The
question OF replacing the two Ger
man attaches, it is understood, will
be considered by the State Depart
ment as something entirely apart
from their recall. and Secretary Ian
sing is expected to insist that the
recall be given before any other mat
ter is taken up. In case Of necessity
the State Department, of course, has
the power to return their passports
20 both diplomats. thus automatical-
IL ending their right TO remain IN
this country, and then TO insist that
they depart.
II is hoped that no such action will
be necessary, as it would be certain TO
develop that friction with Germany
which the department has gone to great
lengths to avoid
The Entente Allies, il became known
to-day. sprobably will refuse TO grant
safe conducts for the return TO Ger
MANY Of the two German attaches.
Great Britain and France, it was stat
ed authoritatively, may take the posi-
tion that safe conducts willingly would
be granted IL the two men we're c''ii
attaches and were not actively con
neeted with the fighting forces oil Ter
many.
The attaches, it was pointed ou'
uould be free to proceed to Mexico.
Should they be allowed to return 70
Germany, however, they might not
only take part IN the hostilitiss o"s
;r,part TO German officials information
which might prove Of great military
value.
Fear whitiock May Be Barred.
The State Department was plainly
worried to-day at the revival OF ru-
mors that Germany might bar Minister
Whitlocks return to Brussels. No Of
fetal intimation Of this attitude has
come from Berlin, and the idea is
secuted in German circles here. 1t is
admitted. however, that the dismissal
of Bo. Ed and Won Papen might easily
induce Germany to retaliate, and oii-
cials fear that such situation would
be frsughts with The greatest danger
TO continued smicsble relations.
The possibility Of some such com
plications coming. with the L1sitania
case still unsettled and with the dis
pute sure to arise over the Ancona a
yet in its initial stages. is admitted:
worrying Washington officials. 1t is
realized that. in spite % Ambassador
Won Bernstorf's assurances, the whols
matter of the relations between the
two governments is still in a highly
delicate state. and that any further
friction and especially any outburst
of popular indignation in either eoun'
try-might seriously imperil the whole
negotiations.
Further Steps Considered.
The deveiopment Of Germsny's de-
L. A.. h.