Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-07-06
U. S. GETS SUMMARY
OF GERMAN REPLY TO
NOTE FROM GERARD
Reports From Ambassador
Indicate Counter Pro-
posals Will Be Offered in
Exchange for Safety of
Americans.
ARLINGTON. Inly 8.

WASHINGTON, July 8,
The State Department today announced
that Ambassador Gerard at Berlin, had
sent to washington a summary Of the
Views of the German Government to be
Incorporated in its forthcoming note on
the Lusltania case. These views agree
substantially with reports from Germany
during the last fortnight indicating that
the reply to President Wilson's note Will
be satisfactory.
The department stated that no reply
has been made to this confidential com
munication, and It Is understood that
none will be made until the Ambassadors
dispatch has been studied by President
Wilson.
So far as official utterances were con-
cerned the State Departments retioence
concerning German-American exchanges
had increased, II anything today.
Secretary Lansing said he could not aus
cuss dispatches received from Berlin In
explanation OF the delay in the German
note.
Communications received from Ambas-
'sador Gerard, he declared, were essen
TALLY confidential II Berlin officials cared
to give anything out 1t was their priVi-
lege, but II was not for this Government
to do so,
He seemed somewhat put out by the
suggestion that any negotiations in the
line OF secret diplomacy were pending.
That more or less well-defined sugges-
tions had been made to Gerard he ad-
mitted, but he denied he had any infor-
nation indicating when the German COM
munication might be expected here.
FEELING OUT U. s.
He gave the impression that Germany
was Feeling out" the United States, but
insisted that nothing was going on "un-
derground." He did not try to conceal
his view that the Berlin Foreign Office
was disposed to meet American wishes,
but said no radical new suggestions had
been made.
II would be the President. he concluded,
who would frame the reply to Ambassa-
dor Gerard's latest communication, but
thus far, he stated, the Executive had
not done so,
That there will be at least another week
of waiting for the German reply to the
American note on the Lusitania disaster
and the submarine warfare policy OF Ger
many is indicated In preliminary reports
received by the State Department. from
Ambassador Gerard.
The Ambassador is keeping the depart
nent informed, 1t has been learned re-
yarding the progress made In the note, |
although he has been unable so far to |
make a definite forecast OF its contents.
In view OF advices understood TO have |
,een received from the American Ambas-
Iador at Berlin. however there was less
mpatlence among officials today over the |
lelay in transmitting the note. II Is be-
ieved Ambassador Gerard Is convinced |
hat Germany seeks 10 make a favorable |
sply to the United States and that he |
ias advised this Government not to be |
lnduly Jealous upon urging an immediate
tatsment OF the Kalssr's Government.
Oficials OF the State Department are
Watching closely both ofieial and unofi-
ial adYices which tend 10 reflect public |
opinion in Berlin. The general temper
II German press comments Is regarded /
70 indicating an eventual adjustment OF /
he differences between the two govern
nents and Ambassador Gerard's recent |
have not been such as % /
larm him or this Government.
PROPOSALS EXPECTED.
II is understood that Germany will |
make a counter proposal OF some char
ctsr In It's reply 70 the Wilson note de-
handing protection for American travel
rs on the high seas.
What this counter proposal will be
as not been forecast Ia ofiolal reports
rom Berlin. according to state Depart
nent oficials, but Il Is learned that
Gerard and Ofioials OF the |
iermAn Foreign once have held a NUM-
er OF informal conferences. The ap-
aren't object OF these conferences has
cen 10 reach a working basis upon which
he two Governments may proceed 20
iscuss and reconcile their differences.