The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-06-03
PESSIMISM AND HOPE
EQUALLY BALANCED
Continued from page -

The only Information obtainable at the
white house, however, was that It
would most certainly be sent this
week
Officials here today were inclined
to speculate on just what will hap
pen If diplomatic relations between
the United States and Germany I'M
fortunately should be broken off.
Certain of the presidents advisors
have said such action would not mean
war. but they are alone in that view,
the general assumption among men
most familiar with the situation be-
ing that Germany would try to tor
pedo all passenger steamers from this
side, regardless Of consequences, II a
diplomatic rupture occurs.
Those who do not think it would
mean war. however. argue that when
Ambassador Gerard was recalled.
should that step be taken, the United
States would be forced to ask either
Holland or one Of the South American
countries to take over American In
terests in Berlin. Ambassador Ger.
ard, now representing Germany's en-
emies, would turn their affairs over
to a diplomat of their selection, prob
ably the one the United States chose
The American ambassador would re.
cieve a safe conduct out of Germany
and would get as many Americans out
as possible to prevent them from. be
| ing interned in concentration camps
Count Bernstorff would naturally
leave this country as soon as Gerard
would be recalled. AS the diplomatic
representative Of his government, he
would be entitled to an unhindered
progress from the United States tc
Germany. He would probably take
passage on a Holland-American Iinel
and proceed to Berlin via Rotteres m
Under international usages, he would
be immune from any interference BY
any Of Germany's opponents. Ger
many, in case such circumstance
arose. probably would turn her at
fairs over to the Spanish embass!
here. Unless actual war with Ger
many came, any interruption of oul
diplomatic relations would have nj
effect on either Austria or Turkey
Even II war came. 1t is very doubtful
If Turkey would break with the Unit
ed States.
/ Ambassador Bernstorfrs communi
\ cation to his government has alread.
gone forward, a high official sait
this afternoon. Justice department
officials denied that the state depart
ment had turned over to them as re
ported affidavtts submitted to sS>cre
tary Bryan in support of the German
claim that the Lusitania was arme,
when she left New York on her las
voyage. The documents were said t
be still in the state department
hands.
That they would be fully invest
gated was understood on good al
thority, though by what department
the inquiry would be conducted. va
not stated.
In explanation of details earl
Wednesday by Secretary Bryan an
Counsellor Lansing of the state de
/ partment that the affidavits we're O.
file, it was said the documents wer
, cial who did not report immediatel
, to his superiors, the latter being yer
busy at the time, so the secretary an
counsellor really supposed their az
malls were accurate when ting mad
, them.
Reply Almost Completed.
> EBy John Edwin Nevin, United Pres
t Staff Correspondent
ii WASHINGTON, June 3.-Presider
t Wilson will have before him within
i few hours legal opinion disposin
of Germany's latest contentious in til
Lusitania case. 1t will then be up
him to decide how much of it to mat