The patriot. [volume] (Indiana, Pa.) 1914-1955, 1915-09-03
MOVE MAY PAVE
WAY FOR PEACE
Washington Sees Purpose In
TeutOn Concessions
AMERICA THE PEAGEMhKER

Settlement of Submarine Controversy
Makes President Wilson Available
as Mediator, and Sets Germany In
More Favorable Position Before
Neutral World--Move Against Brit.
ish Restrictions Will Follow Soon.
Washington, Aug. 30-Some OF,
dcials in Washington think they see
in Germany's change OF policy toward
the submarine issue a larger purpose
than the mere maintenance OF friend
ly relations with this government.
They believe that Germany, if not
actually seeking to pave the way for
ing herself for the day when sucr
negotiations will be begun.
AS viewed by these officials and in
diplomatic circles here, Germany is
moving TO rehabilitate herself in the
eyes of aeutrals, SO that when move
ment for peace is actually undertaken
she may be assured OF a larger meas,
ure of sympathy and support from
neutral powers than would be accord
ed to her now.
The view that Germany is looking
forward TO possible peace develop
ments from a settlement of the sub
marine issue is not mere surmise or
speculation. 1t has a very sub
stantial foundation in suggestions that
have repeatedly been thrown out by
Cerrc- rCT- -c~c-tCtiveS in this coun'
try. Every time the submarine issue
became acute they have urged in
formally upon Washington officials the
great opportunity for the step in the
direction of peace if the United States
could only successfully mediate the
submarine and blockade differences
between Germany and Great Britain.
1t has been their contention that such
an important step would probably
prove to be only a beginning and that
the way would then be open for the
United States to use it's good Offices
in promoting a still broader under.
standing which eventually might re-
suit in peace.
Since the Arabic incident and the
more conciliatory attitude of the Ger
man government toward the United
States, talk along this line has been
revived in German quarters here.
Again the possibility of the president
serving as leader in the movement
for peace is being held out.
Entirely aside from the German
suggestion, officials here acknowledge
that if the submarine subject is salts
factorily disposed of President Wilson
will be much more available as pos
Sible peace mediator than would
otherwise have been the case. So long
as strained relations existed between
this government and Germany the
door was practically closed to Presi-
dent Wilson's attempting to play the
important role of peacemaker in the
European struggle.
But not only will a settlement of
the submarine controversy, in the
opinion of Washington officials, make
the president more available from the
German viewpoint, but it will also af-
ford him an opportunity to demon
strate to the world the absolutely i'm
partial stand of the United States as
a neutral.
There is no doubt here now that
President Wilson is eagerly awaiting
the opportunity to assert the rights Of
the United States against British vio-
lations of international law as firmly
as he did against Germany. 1t can
be said that he will move in this di-
rection as soon as the submarine is
sue has been disposed of, and if he
can bring Great Britain to make con-
cessions as Germany now seems dis
posed to make them it is &C.
knowledged here that he will be in the
strongest possible position to offer
his services as a mediator in the
great war.
IT is learned here on high authority
that the president will not only move
speedily against Great Britain's viola
tions against the rights of Americans
on the high seas, but also in the di.
rection of settlement of the Mexican
situation as soon as the German issue
has been settled. The controversy
with Germany has hung like mill.
stone about the neck of the Washing
ton administration for the last five
months. The president and his ad
visers have hesitated to push the issue
with Great Britain so long as they
were confronted with the likelihood
of an open break with Germany.
Now the presidents advisers are
promising speedy action or hnth Great
Britain and Mexico as soon as the
submarine troubles have cleared.