Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1915-05-19

All Eyes on Berlin.
All eyes are now turned to Berlin
and the one question is what will Ger
do. just as President Wilson mas
taken the American diplom-
acy in this instance in his " hands:
1T is expected. Kaiser Wilhelm VIII
say the last word on the German reply.
Although it is still hoped by the
officials Of this government that
Emperor William will avoid a rup-
they admit it is only. hope n mol
that assurance which rests on
facts.
Unquestionably. there is deep un-
certainty in administration circles as
to just what is the purpose OF Ger
many and a dubious fear that the I'M
perial government a reasons or its
w for wishing to see the United
States and Germany in a state OF war.
This feeling has been in some slight
measure quoted by h German note
regarding neutral shipping and by the
fact that Ambassador Won Bernstorff.
read OF the German embassy here, Is
known by men close to him not TO
want a break, or. at least. to be giving
out that impression.
Interviews and expressions pur-
porting to come from high German
sttjs's a.. . sisv nst s" q d,:t'"et'y 1s:y
simistic slant. They indicate that
il is tho purpose to go ahead with
tho German submarine warfare
regardless Of consequences and
that the sinking of the Lusitania is
but tho beginning.
The American note. summed up,
calls on the German government for
disavowal of the acts of which this
nation complains. reparation and
Immediate" steps to prevent recur-
renee of deeds subversive of the prin-
ciples of the laws of civilized warfare.
Most striking of all, the president
practically tells Germany to desist in
her submarine attacks on merchant
shipping because submarines as a
practical fact cannot attack such ship
ping and observe the usual laws of war
as to nOncombatantS.
Stronger Than Expected.
1t was not generally anticipated
the note would go to such a length,
inasmuch as there is every reason
to believe Germany has built many
new %seagoing submarines and has
plans made for their extensive use
against allied merchant shipping,
it is considered unlikely the Berlin
government will consent to aban-
" Su0 bO 0sN0SNS VII
planned Of.
not write that phase of the note with
nut most careful thought, and that he
wrote it bearing in mind the fact h a
i'm the civil war Admiral Zirnmis. the
confederate raider. allowed merchant
ships to escape when to sink them
of international law. Many other ma
val commanders have done likewise,
and 1T is the accepted policy of war at
sea.
Expect Early Reply.
An early reply from Berlin is ex-
pected. 1t is looked for the coming
week. Meantime. President Wilson
goes on board the Mayflower today to
make the trip to New York to review
the fleet.
This review. in consideration of the
strained international situation. has
suddenly taken on new Importance
speculation is rife as to how the navy
could be used I'm case war breaks out
with Germany. That 1t would be used
to protect merchant shipping and in
hunting submarines from the seas. and
especially that the excellent destroyer
fleet would be so used, is deemed likely.
Opinions differ here as to just how
I far the American note leaves the way
| diplomatic exchanges. 1t is deemed
quite likely the German government
will avoid an Immediate flat defiance
1t is thought by many that the reply
will be a ~disavowal, expression of re-
newed regret, promise OF r~eparatiOn
and without a promise to stop subma-
rine warfare on merchant shipping OF
assurance that noncombatants will be
allowed a chance to take to the. boats
This would not meet American de-
u l..A 4 n ~AASy~~<
an immediate break. One of Germany's
counter proposals., according to an ex-
cellent authority. will be that this gov
eminent keep its people off merchant
ships carrying munitions.
Such a proposal. In the light OF