The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1915-05-26
lTALY'S WARLEkE STAND
DELAYS GERMAN ANSWER
Diplomats See Added Importance Of
Submarine to TeutonS if Italy
and Roumania Enter War.

Two important factors, it became
known in Washington Tuesday night,
are working to delay for another
week Germany's reply to the Lusi-
tania note.
First, the next few days are ex-
pected to show whether Germany
will be confronted with new mill
tary situation by the entrance of
Italy into the war.
Second. interested diplomatists be-
lieve the interim Of delay will re-'eal
whether the United States of its ini-
tiative will send general protest to
the allies against alleged violations
of international law by interfering
with commerce between American
ports and neutral European coun-
tries.
Officials generally think the Aus
tro-Italian situation may absorb the
attention of the German government
and delay final composition Of the
reply. It is realized that should
Italy become belligerent, Germany
would lose all hope Of obtaining food
stuffs or other supplies through the
Mediterranean, and if Roumania fol-
lowed ltaly's lead, as predicted, the
wheat supply from southeastern
Europetwould be cut off. In such
circumstances, it was explained in
diplomatic quarters, Germany would
find the submarine even more inyalu-
able as a weapon for reducing enemy
suDplies and commerce.
The idea that the United States
will send note to the allies seeking
modification of the order in council
has its origin in quarters where the
conviction is held that such a move
would demonstrate to Germany that
the United States intends to be equal
~ vigorous in insisting upon the OBJ
servance of neutral rights by Great
Britain and her allies, making un-
necessary an offer by Germany to re-
turn o:the maritime rules of inter-
national law if the allies do likewise.
Although without definite informa-
tion, there is disposition in well in
formed quarters to believe the presi-
dent will withhold any representa-
tions to England until Germany's re-
ply is received, because Of a desire to
obtain a frank understanding with
Germany without complicating the
situation existing between the United
States and the allies.
1t is known that for several weeks
there have been under preparation
two notes eventually to be sent to
Great Britain, one dealing with the
general subject Of contraband and
the other embracing general repre-
sentations on detention Of vessels
plying between neutral ports carry
ing non-contraband American goods.
Secretary Bryan said that from
twenty to thirty ships had been de-
tanned by the allies, most Of them
carrying cotton. He explained the
state department was not yet in pos
session of all the facts and was in
vestigating. British officials indicat-
ed that, in their opinion, most of the
detentions and delays were due to
care1essness by American shippers in
failing to give selling prices and
other information in their invoices.
In diplomatic quarters friendly to
Germany it is confidently believed
that the German reply to the United
States will be conciliatory and make
broad concessions in principle If it is
certain that strong efforts will be
made to induce the allies to abandon
their commercial embargo.
There is little fear now that any
passenger ships will be torpedoed
while the diplomatic discussions are
in progress, for it was pointed out
that since suggestions Of the Austrian
and German embassies that the sub
marine program be suspended had
reached Vienna and Berlin, there mad
been no such attacks, although many
opportunities apparently had present
ed themselves.
The Lusitanic case, it is believed,
will be dealt with separately from the
general subject in the German reply.
Comments of the Berlin press confirm
views expressed in Washington that
Germany will disavow any intention
of destroying American lives, con-
tending that all would have been say
ed but for expl 'sions in the ammuni-
tion cargo.
In the general speculation in Off
cial and diplomatic circles as to the
possible severance of diplomatic rela-
tions between the United States and
Germany, Brazil and Argentina are
most frequently mentioned as the ma
tions likely to take over the diplo-
matte interests of the United States
in Germany and Austria, as we'll as
those of countries whose affairs now
are cared for by the American embas-
sizes and conSulateS.