Evening journal., 1915-05-19
Germany s DELAY
ANNOYS america
Submarine Warfare Answer
May Not Be Made Until
Next Week
LOSS OF DRUMCREE
PROVES SURPRISE
By JOHN EDWIN NEyIN
United Press Staff Correspondent.

Ahtitu AAf0N otul Correspondents
WASHINGTON, May 19.-Ger-
many's delay in answering the Ameri-
can note demanding cessation of
submarine warfare against merchant
vessels caused renewed anxiety in Of
fetal circles today. II was realized
that Italian developments were para
mount, so far as Germany was con-
cerned. but it had been hoped that at
least an official intmation of the
kaiser's position would be fOrthcom-
ing. However Ambassador Gerard
today notified the State Department
that there was no possibility OF re-
ply until next week, at the earliest
The assigned reason was Of course
the italian situation but il was be-
lieyed Germany welcomes delay TO
have all sides Of the matter passed
on by the military and civil authori-
ties.
! It was agreed that if the German
delay really is due 10 the Italian sit
uation it will be accepted in good
/ faith, but that II Germany simply
wishes to see whether this govern
ment will address a note to Great
/ Britain demanding that she call off
! her food blockade OF Germany. the lat
/ ter will he disappointed Il is under
/ stood to be tho Presidents plan to
let the British blockade and questions
/ growing out Of il remain in status quo
until after the German reply is re-
ceived.
This is declared absolutely neces-
sary if the matter is to be kept free
Of suspicion of bargaining.
Announcement that the British
steamer Drumcree had fallen victim
10 a German submarine came as an
unpleasant surprise, officials having
believed that the German submarine
warfare against merchant vessels had
been indefinitely interrupted. II was
pointed out. however, that the United
States has received no official assur.
ances that Germany has taken sucl
action and even If it has done so, tn,
order for a let-up may not have
reached all submarine commanders.
Reports that the United States va.
displeased because the sinking of tn,
Frye had been sent 10 a German prizl
court and had demanded an explana
ton from the German foreign Office
through Ambassador Gerard we're de
, nod by Secretary Bryan. He saiG
!, he understood the Frye case origin
r ally was sent TO a prize court an
that this government asked a settle
! ment through the German ombass!
! here in order to expedite matters. bu
e. IL it was true that Germany believes
? quicker action could be secure
through a prize court the Unitel
States can hardly object. It is be
lieved the prize court reference wa
a routin procedure that will later b
changed.
The State Department was withou
official confirmation, that a Germa
submarine tried to sink the Transyl
, vania last Sunday. The consul ger
eral at Liverpool had sent the depart
, ment a report embodying the state
ments carried in the newspapers bu
no confirmation had arrived frOl
London or Liverpool.
Further evidences of the manner !
which neutrals are standing e
gether came today when Minister Ri
, ter asked the United States TO tax
| over Swiss affairs in China. Singlin
> out the United States at thi
time, in the light of the fact that
10 number of Americans lost their live
0 on the Lusitania, was considered 81.
e niicant.
A II was known that Holland has en-
- dorsed the American position an
j. that the Scandinavian countries ha,
signifed their approval of the prino
c pies laid down by President Wilson
g Consul Frost at Liverpool, today rc
I ported the recovery of two additions
y bodies OF Lusitania dead-M T. Grar
" and Charles Lund. both OF Chicago.