Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-04-21
WASHINGTON NOW HOPES
BREAK WILL BE AVERTED

april
Anxiousy awaiting Germanys final
word on the American demand that pres
ent methods of submarine warfare against
merchant shipping be abandoned, official
dom today gradually was losing it's initial
feeling of intense peSslmism. There was
in evidence at both the White House and
the State Department, as well as in Con-
gress, spirit of hopefulness that the two
great nations yet would be able to recon-
cile their differences.
It is hoped the way will be made clear
to settle the question of how U-boats may
proceed against commerce without further
endangering relations between the two
countries.
This was indicated today by efforts in
some quarters to show the President in his
communication to Germany had asked no
more than he had in the past. 1t was
said he wished merely to compel Germany
to operate her submarines within the
bounds previously drawn-namely, giving
adequate warnings and assuring safety to
passengers
Those in a position to know. however
indicated clearly the President would not
stop at this.
Germany's present campaign must be
discontinued until the two Governments
can arrive at a decision as to just what
constitutes practicable and legal U-boat
warfare against commerce.
BY Immediate" stopping OF its present
campaign Germany has been told this Gov.
ernment means within / -ch time as is suf.
hcient for submarine commanders to be
notified.
Grave danger now lies in possible sub
marine attack. Such an attack on n neu-
trail vessel, particularly IL an American
life were jeopardized, would be critical. 1t
would then have to be shown clearly and
rapidly that the German commander had
failed to receive his orders or a break, 1t Is
believed would he automatic
1t has definitely been decided that there
shall be no attempt at this time to pass
through Congress any legislation in any
way dealing with the existing situation.
Suggestions made by friends of the Ad-
ministration that a resolution should be
adopted indorsing the stand of the Presi-
dent have been turned down by the lead
ers, To do so, they say, would open the
way for an unwelcome debate that might
have far-reaching serious consequences.
There is a strong undercurrent of oppo-
sition to the action the President took.
particularly from certain Southern Sena-
tors and Representatives, and the leaders
have been hard put TO It to prevent them
openly airing their views at this time.
President Wilson will agree. 1t is be-
neved. to debate how submarines may
lawfully be used. In fact Secretary of
State Lansing already has announced
that relteration by Germany that in the
future she will apply to the operations
of all of her submarines the limitations
which Count Won Bernstorff on January
told the State Department had been
made applicable to Mediterranean ship
ping win satisfy this Government Ger
many must, however. specifically an
nounce the abandonment of present
methods in the Anglo-French naval. war
zone. The Mediterranean restrictions ac-
cept the doctrine of visitation and search
and state that merchant ships shall not
be attacked without adequate warning
and provision made for the safety of all
on board unless such ships shall resist.
This agreement covers freighters as well
as passenger liners.
Although officials had hoped to receive
an answer this week, ii was admitted to-
day that this hardly win be possible. The
German Chancellor has gone to the front
TO take the matter up with the Kaiser,
the Berlin dispatches say. and he Is not
expected 10 return to Berlin before the
first OF the week. Meanwhile, officials ex-
pect that German U-bOat commanders will
be instructed not to take any action which
would force the hand of the United States,
until a final decisbn is reached on the
course OF action TO be followed.
Count Won Bernstorff, German Ambas-
sador, left the city early today. oficials
at the Embassy refused to disclose his
whereabouts. but 1t was generally believed
that he had gone 10 New York. He is
not expected back in the city before Mon
day