davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-07

Washington, May 6.-AmbassadOr
Gerard's confidential report on his con-
ference with the Kaiser reached Sec
rotary Lansing. and was laid before
the President to-day. along with the
official text of the German note. As
officials studied these two documents
there was an increase in optimism, de-
spite the receipt Of news of the sinking
of four more vessels.
The official text Of the note. was
found to be practically identical with
the unofficial text transmitted from
Berlin in press dispatches. 1t Is now
expected that no official announcement
will be made by the Administration IN
ill after the Cabinet meeting Tuesday.
Privately, no doubt Is expressed that
the German orders to the submarines
will be considered satisfactory, and the
conditions attached-that the United
States force Great Britain TO give up
her blockade will be ignored till some
new development forces them to the
front.
Much Of the confidence felt in Ad-
ministration quarters is laid TO Am
bassador Gerard's report Of his confer
ence with the Kaiser. This report, 1t
is understood, indicates that Germany
is prepared TO go much further In prac-
tiee than she has promised.
Assurance from Kaiser.
The threat to resume indiscriminate
warfare if the British blockade con
tinues, however, left the Administra-
ton in doubt as to the advisability OF
accepting the German proposals with
out a word Of warning. The Kaiser, 1t
is understood, assured Mr.. Gerard that
he would do his utmost to avoid rupt-
ure. and that the harsh tone Of the
note and the conditions on which the
promises were made to hang were
neeessitsted by political conditions IN
Germany.
While this assurance goes far 70
satisfy the President that illegal SUB
marine warfare Is definitely at an end
the fact that Gerard's conference was
HIGHLY confidential and that the
Kaiger's assurances cannot be pub
Iished makes it impossible fully 70
explsin the acceptance Of the unsatis-
factory note.
On the other hand, the President
besitates to write another note TO Ger
mdny, demanding unconditional pledges
orr warning the German government
tbht he cannot accede to the conditions
laid down in the present communlca-
tidn. To do so would be 10 confess
thht the present note is unsatisfactory
Thus raising Immediately the question
ash to why II was not rejected without
debate.
6he President is said 10 be impressed
,yIh the argument that there can be
NO "partially satisfactory" answer TO
an ultimatum. Either the German note
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-07

scarce. and that the reserves Of men
are nearly exhausted. 10 is thought
likely that the assault on Nerdun was
Germany's last effort TO, obtain deei-
The chief result % the Pope's appeal
and the German hints, 80 far az the
President is concerned, will lie in dis.
suading him from drastic action toward
Germany. II convinced ;hAt peace was
near and that he might be called as
mediator the President might be VIII
ING 10 strain points in Gcrmany's favor
more than he would if long war was
The talk Of peace is persistent IN
German quarters here. and efforts are
constantly being made 20 sound out the
Allied ambassadors. Thus far they
have accomplished nothing.
Doubt Sincerity of Plea.
The difficulty. as the Allies see It, Is
that there Is no accurate means OF
In wing whether Germany Is really
forced to make terms now. The Ger
man government may be acting from
necessity, or IL may be inspired by
desire TO quit with its present SPOTS
Before the cry Of peace is needed the
Allies say. IL must come from the Ger
man people, and not merely from the
government press agents.
Germany has been feeding her PEG,
pie on victory for twenty months
The Tribune was told to-day "Ihey
have heard nothing but reports OF mill
tary successes Now that the German
armies are halted on every 'front.', whlIe
the people are feeling the plnch more
and more, the lack of food the loss OF
life. the government must promise them
an early and victorious peace.
THAT is the significance Of the Chan
cellor's recent speeches. The people
ready to jump at the German peace
hints. When they see there is no re-
Spouse to the appeals they may begin
10 demand peace of their government.
When that situation is brought about 1t
will be time to talk about negotiating
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-07
TRIUMPHANT TEACHERS DINE
Celebrate Defeat Of Pension Bill with
Food and Speeches.

Food and Speeches.
The Professional Elementary Teach.
ers' Association, which claims credit Tor
having brought about the defeat OF the
teachers pension bill In the Legsa-
ture, held its first annual dinner last
night in the Hotel Majestic. The or
ganization is composed Of the dissent
ers who broke away from the INTERIOR.
ough Women Teachers Association
when the latter society came 70 the
support Of the pension bill.
The speakers of the evening included
Assemblymen Martin G. McCue. D.
Maldwin Fertig, Vincent Gilroy, Stephen
D. Stephens, Hoffman Nickerson and
Fred Z. Maerkle and Senator James A.
Hamilton, all Of whom voted against
the bill.
every school teacher in my district
was against the bill" Assemblymsn
McCue told the teachers. They came
to me in an open, straightforward way
and without trying 20 pull political
wires voiced their opposition. There
was nothing for me to do but 20 vote
against the measure.
81 am confident that the Legislature
did right in defeating the bill. Il re
auired the teacher 20 invest far TOO
great a sum in her pension and pro-
vided no way in which she could regain
this money if she retired from the
school service before the end Of a Ger.
tain period
One hundred teachers attended the
dinner.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-07
BERLIN EDITORS
PRAISE REPLY
Generally Agree Great
Concessions Were Made
to United States.

Berlin, May 6.-Berlin editors gen.
orally agree that Germany in her reply
TO the American note made great con-
cessions. II Is assumed that a break
has been averted and the answer Is
praised. The German government, 1t
is asserted, has done all that IL could.
On the whole, the German press ip-
pears satisfied with the reply, although
there are indications that the attitude
Of the newspapers is not wholly unin-
spired.
Count Won Reventlow, usually a caus-
tic critic of German-American rela-
tions, refers his readers to previous
editorials for his opinion. The "Kreuz-
zeitung" also conte1ted itself with re-
ferring to previous discussions on the
issue in question.
George Bernhard, In the "Vossische
Zeitung." says:
at will not be expected of US, in view
of our attitude toward this question,
that we should greet with noisy joy the
way when our government takes 70
avoid a conflict"
However, he says, II it should end
the uncertainties and If the hopes
pinned on President Wilson's future
course should be realized, he will join
in the general rejoicing.
Answer Is Praised.
The Vorwaerts" warmly praises the
answer, and says that German states
men could not do otherwise and they
have dashed the hopes Of Germany's
enemies. The government, 1t says, did
what "all the commandments Of politi-
cal wisdom required" and the decision
will be welcomed in the broadest circles
of the German people.
die Post" says Germany's course
was dictated by the realization of her
own strength. There can, however, be
no further concessions, the newspaper
adds, for it seems the limit Of pos
sibility has been reached.
The Hamburg "Nachrichten' declares
that never before did a mighty state
make such concessions in the midst Of
struggle for existence. This must
be emphasized" the "Nachrichten"
says, although at this time we pass
over in silence the significance in the
concessions for carrying on the war,
and we cannot, for easily conceivable
reasons, express ourselves more fully
concerning the limiting of the subma-
rine campaign in such manner"
Note a pheasant Surprise"
The "Boersen Zeitung" calls the note
pleasant surprise" in that il dis
sipated fears lest the government might
make too great concessions. Ii adds
that even the circles which are dis
posed TO reject all compromises will
not be able to criticise adversely.
Tho "Tacgliche Rundschau' says:
After Germany has undertaken this
doubly difficult sacrifice Germans are
entitled 10 expect America TO keep her
promise 10 restore the freedom OF the
seas as against all belligerents. IL is
now up 10 the American people 10 show
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-07

her food or for her raw produce upon
her trade. In fact, it may be abso-
lutely necessary to destroy an enemy's
trade. The private introduction OF pro-
visions into Paris was prohibited dur
ing the siege; and in the same way
nation would be justified in preventing
the import Of food and raw produce
"These older German authorities
were right The truth is all war is
cruel, horrible, but those who have
drenched Europe in blood, who scatter
death and destruction among combat
ants and non-combatants by their
zeppelin bombs and submarine tor
pedoes; who, by their poisoned gas and
high explosive shells. have MANNED, tor
tured and slain millions Of the best
and brayest Of their fellow creatures,
are presuming too far on the toera-
ton of mankind when they complain
of such a comparatively humane method
Of warfare as blockade"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-07

London. May 6.-The English press
vigorously assails the German reply
10 the American note. The answer, IT
"a generally declared. does not meet
President Wilson's demand. II Is as
serted that Germany has not renowned
her policy of assassination and Is mere
ly seeking TO make a cats-paw OF the
United States in an effort 10 relieve
Germany of the strangle hold of the
British blockade.
"The Westminster Gazette" says that
/. is for America 20 decide whether a
renewal Of the debate on the use OF
submarines and the repetition OF
promises 10 be moro careful In future
comply with the demands Of President
Wilson.
"It is obvious 10 the rest Of u.s." con
tinues the Gazette" that nothing but
fear Of the consequences will restrain
Germany in the use of the submarine,
and we do not suppose there is any
misconception on this subject in the
United States"
Discusses Murder Policy"
As for the charges that Great
Britain's obduracy and inhumanity
render il necessary for Germany TO
pursue policy Of murder on the high
seas" the newspaper says:
"If there is really anything compare
BILE between our use of the method or
siege against the German people and
their method of killing and drowning
ron-combatants and neutrals, then all
distinction between humane and in
humane warfare breaks down, and IL is
idle to talk about law and humanity in
this connection at all"
THE Pail Mall Gazette" thinks the
President cannot review the contents Of
the note without bearing In mind the
tenor of previous documents from the
same source, and says:
"ln It's treatment OF the Sussex case
and its reference TO the general subject
of submarine piracy it orders the
President 20 dismiss every sense of
evidence and every reasoning faculty
he may possess and agree with the
Kaiser's ministers that fair is foul
and foul is fair
Says Germany Defies Wilson.
Germany with hands red-crusted in
innocent blood invites the American
government to join with her in de-
nOuncing the conduct of the British
Admiralty, whose exercise of belliger-
ent rights has not incurred the sacri-
fee of one life of neutral nationality.
Germany has not renounced her
policy of assassination and she vir-
tually defes the President 70 put in
force his solemnly defined alternative. D."
"The proud American eagle is i'm
pudently invited TO take the place Of
the proyerbial cat's-paw to the German
monkey in pulling his chestnuts out
Of the fire." says THE Globe" at ia
TO embroil itself with this country in
order 10 relieve Germany OF the
strangle hold Of the British naval block
ade"
"The Evening Standard" says: "The
German note is partly an evasion,
partly q refusal and partly an invita-
tion 10 unneutral action. In no respect
can it be said to meet the Presidents
demands"
"The Manchester Guardian" says
that the effective point in the German
reply is contained in the single brief
passage in which Germany offers a
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-07

German censor IL regarded as sufficient
evidence Of their official origin.
II is pointed out that Germany's
peace offers, though always indirect,
have been Of increasing frequency late
~ and Of more insistent tone. Wash
ington is becoming convinced that with
in very short time Germany will be
forced TO seek peace openly. There
are no indications az present, however,
that the first offers will be received
alphabetically by the Allies, whose
general attitude is that the louder Ger
many cries for peace the harder must
the war be pushed
Food Scarcity Grows Serious.
As the situation is understood here,
Germany would demand peace only be
cause OF exhaustion. Either human or
material resources perhaps both-in
Germany are therefore thought to be at
q low level. Priv,.e reports from the
Central Empires indicate that food Is
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-07
Central Powers into an ignominious
equalization.
Shows Hoilgeg as Inconsistent.

Shows Hoilgeg as Inconsistent.
an this connection it is interesting to
remember that al the beginning of last
month the German Chancellor made the
following remarks in the Reichstag:
al can understand that in 1915 the
enemy would not give up hope Of stary-
ing Germany, but / cannot understand
how cool heads can cling to il after the
experience of 1918. Our enemies for
get that, thanks to the organizing pow
ers Of the whole nation, Germany is
equal TO the task Of the distribution Of
victuals. Our stocks of bread and
grain will not only be sufficient, but
viii leave an ample reserve with which
TO commence the new year We have
not run short OF anything in the past
nor shall We run short of anything in
the future
There is a curious contradiction be-
tween this statement and the present
appeal on behalf of starving women and
children. However, presenting that the
statement Of the Chancellor in the
Reichstag was untrue. il Is interesting
to recall the opinions Of two former
German statesmen, Prince Bismarck
and Count Caprivi, as to the right OF
belligerent TO cut off supplies from the
enemy. In 1885, at the time when his
majesty's government were discussing
with the French government the ques-
tion of the right TO declare foodstutfs
not intended for the military forces to
be contraband, Prince Bismarck made
the following statement TO the kiel
Chamber OF Commerce:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-07
CECIL RTDICULES
BERLIN PEACE PLEA
Continued from page !

are in accord with the principles Of in
ternational law. and is prepared 70
make good that claim. They can sure
ly compare favorably, so lar as CON
sideration to neutrals Is concerned,
with a policy whose fruits are seen IN
the tragedies Of the Lusitania, the
Arabic and the Sussex.
"The Germans maintain that IL was
owing TO the illegal conduct Of the
British warfare that Germany was
forced 20 resort TO her submarine cam
paign. This is not the first time that
the Germans have attempted 10 Justify
their submarine warfare on the ground
that il is a measure Of reprisal against
the action oftthe British government
in cutting off supplies from Germany.
The following list of incidents, in
chronological order, should suffice TO
dispose of this plea:
"September, 1914 - Dutch vessel
Maria, from California for Dublin and
Belfast with cargo of grain for the
civil population. sunk by the German
cruiser karlsruhe.
Sought TO Cut OF Britain.
September 90, 1914 The Admiral
Ganteaume, with 1000 unarmed rcfu-
gees, sunk by German submarine.
December. 1914-Admiral Won Tir-
pitt foreshadowed adoption of sub
marine campaign.
January 27, 1915-American ship
william p. Frye, with wheat from Sc
attic for Queenstown, sunk by German
auxiliary cruiser Kronprinz Wilhelm"
Note: The William 2. Frye was sunk
by the Prinz Eitel Friedrich, according
TO the records)
February /, 1915 Declaration by
the German government Of their inten-
ton to institute a general submarine
blockade of Great Britain and Ireland,
with the avowed purpose Of cutting off
all supplies from these islands. This
blockade was put into effect officially
February Is. although MS a matter Of
fact merchant ship had been sunk by
n German submarine at the end Of jan
uary.
Rldicules Starvation Plea.
at was not until March II. 1915,
that the present measures against Ger
man trade were put in force by Great
Britain. Before the enforcement Of
those measures the Germans had de
stroyed cargoes Of foodstuFs coming TO
the civilian population of this country,
had declared their intention of iusti-
tuting a system Of submarine outrage
and had actually Summarized merchant
vessels without warning.
"As for their pretended tenderness
for non-combatants. theft slaughter of
old men, children, women and girls IN
Belgium and Northern France, not TO
speak Of the unreported proceedings Of
their hcnored allies in Armenia, for
ever prevents them from being heard in
such cause.
many millions Of women and children.
who, according 20 the avowed intention
Of the British government, are 20 be
starved. and who by their suferings
shall force the victorious armies Of the
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-07
RUSSIAN BAYONETS
ROUT TURKISH FORCE
Position Taken "in Direction of
Bagdad," Petrograd Reports.

Petrogrsd, May 6-Fighting at close
quarters on the Tigris is reported in
to-day's War Office statement. "ln the
direction Of Bagdad," says the bulletin,
"our troops attacked the Turks with
the bayonet and dislodged them from
their position in the neighborhood of
the village of Serinalkerind. After
bayoneting the defenders we occupied
the position.
an the direction OF Erzingan we re-
pulsed Turkish offensive supported
bv ar4iIlas,y -
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-07

before all the world whether their pur.
pose was to protect the rights OF hg-
manity or 20 act as England's ally with
view to cripple Us and Illustrate our
victory"
The Berlin "Tageblatt" summarizes
the main points Of the note and eY-
presses the hope that IL will attain its
aim in preventing war with America.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-07

Blaine, Randall, Ben Butler, George f.
Hoar. Sunset" Cox, Pig iron" Kelly
and a score Of others of his contem-
poraries to the halls where once they
served.
Mr.. Cannon now Is closing his TWEEN
tieth term in Congress. He came here
during the AID Congress, and since that
time has been defeated twice, once in
1892, and again in 1912.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-07
Germany Should BE
Ashamed of People Who
SANDER Him, Says Editor.
BRAVE OPPONENT
OF EVIL AND ABUSE
Conservative Leaders Attack on
America in Reichstag Called
SorroWful.

Berlin. May 6.-After fguratively
taking the publc's breath away two
weeks ago by a daring article cap
toned "If Were Wilson," Macmillan
Harden returns TO an exhaustive de-
fence of President Wilson, his policy
and the entire American standpoint.
In a leader yesterday in the "Zu-
kunft," entitled "The Real Wilson,
Herr Harden praises President Wilson
as "a man of high moral and high
spiritual character, Of whom we might
be proud If he were ours" What the
writer characterizes as "lazy ignor-
ance" is represented as "chattering
from the mantle OF would-be patriot
ism. which in reality has nothing in
common with genuine patriotism. when
President Wilson is assailed as he fire.
quently has been.
"Ninetv-nine one-hundredths Of all
the so-called war literature" Herr Har-
den continues, should be sent where. 1t
belongs-to the paper mills-and the
public should return TO books from
which a wideawake spirit speaks, IN
GLIDING President Wilson's The New
Freedom Then, perhaps, pure com,
mon sense will return TO you ana
awaken you to the duty of respecting
the dignity Of foreign peoples
Praise for President Wilson.
Herr Harden follows with a brief
character sketch Of President Wilson,
in which he calls the President "a brave
opponent of evil and abuses" and al
ludes TO him as "actuated by love for
his people and possessed of the will TO
lead them to the heights OF his ideals
after they had gotten into the swamp
land"
ashamed of people who SANDER him be-
cause they have read calumny in news
papers" o.,
in all his controversies with Ger
many. says Herr Harden, President VIII
son has acted from absolute conviction.
"Dare we measure by the standard OF
a students squabble the complaints Of
a great, free nation, led by man Of
the weight and Importance Of President
Wilson ." asks the writer. "f Presl-
dent Wilson, after thorough lnVest-
cation, ls convinced That Warlike acls
of Germany have broken the laws Of
humanity il was not only his right but
il was his duty to talk with clearness.
He owes this not only as duty to HIM
self, but 20 US"
Suggestion for Hollweg.
Turning to the position of Chancel-
Tor Won Bethmann-Hollweg in the pres
On. controversy. Herr Harden says;
"The daring Of the Chancellor must
not approximate that of submarine
commander"
Herr Harden next turns his guns on
Herr Won Heydebrand. Conservative
leader in the Reichstag, because Of his
attack on America in connection with
the Sussex note, characterizing the al
tack as "sorrowful abuse, in which
there is not a glimmer Of statesman-
ship"
In abiding to Herr Won Heydebrand's
assertion that America stood in close
connection with England before the
war, Herr Harden points out that Ger
many also did so with Italy, Russia,
Japan, Portugal and England. Herr
Won Heydebrand's assertion that Amer
lea was at first secretly and then open
~ on the side of Germany's enemies
Herr Harden claims not TO have been
proved, and he declares that America
has never violated neutrality.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-07
Bismarck Upheld Blockade.

al reply TO the Chamber of Com
merce that any disadvantage our COM
mercial and carrying interests may suf-
fer by the treatment Of rice as contra
band of war does not Justify our OPP
posing a measure which 1t has been
thought fit to take in carrying on a
foreign war Every war is Il calamity
which entails evil consequences, not
only on the combatants but also on
neutrals. The measure in question has
for its object the shortening of the
war by increasing the difficulties of the
enemy and is justifable step in war
il impartially enforced against all neu-
trail ships
"ln 1892 Count Caprivi made the fol-
lowing remarks in the Reichstsg IN the
course Of a discussion respecting the
question OF international protection for
private property at sea:
&" A country may be dependent for
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-07
Berlin Making Cat SPAN
of u. S., Declare British
Germany Has Not Met President Wilson's Demand and
Has Not Renowned Policy of Assassination
Say London Editors

further concession with the object OF
adapting submarine warfare to the III
terests Of neutrals.
as this likely TO satisfy the United
States, after two previous pledges nave
proved worthless ?" THE Guardian
asks