The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-04-20
Don't Believe Kaiser Can Afford
to Yield Point.
ICED NOT Be A STATE OF WAR
But Fresh Atrocities Would
Precipitate 1t.
No Action by Congress on Ulti-
matum Necessary.
BY ED l.. KEEN.

London, April 2O.-W ell informed
persons here do not believe that Ger
many will yield to the United States.
The general opinion in London is that
diplomatic break is certain and that
war is a strong possibility.
This view is based on the fact that
Germany has emphasized the state
ment that the submarine is her most
effective weapon in fighting England.
For this reason, it is believed that Ger
many cannot afford to concede any
essential points, though it is thought
possible she will offer certain conces-
sions to obtain some delay.
The British attitude toward Presi-
dent Wilson's note ranges from quiet
satisfaction to near jubilation. 1t is
quite likely that it will have salu-
tory effect upon the cabinet crisis here
and a most important influence on
Holland, Greece. Rumania and the
Scandinavian neutrals.
The kaiser is now to decide whether
| he wants war with the United States
or not. the Daily Chronicle holds.
| Predicts a Break.
| "It is difficult to suppose that Ger
| many, elated by her submarine sue
| cesses of the past six weeks, will ac-
cept President Wilson's terms" said
| the Chronicle. Diplomatic relations
| between Berlin and Washington will
ithen be broken.
/ s'The resulting situation. of course,
will not be a, state of war, but may
/ easily develop into one if Germany
! perpetrates fresh atrocities in which
| the victims include Americans.
This is most obvious to both par
ties. President Wilson has counted
ehe cost and presumably the kaiser is
qounting it. If he decides that a. con-
/ tfnuance of the submarine war is
', of,1.-
| lea, he will probably decide that it is
worth war"
Congress Won't Discuss Issue.
The decision of the German foreign
office is expected to be revealed with
! in a few days 1t is believed by the
state department that the reply should
be received by Wednesday at the
latest.
No Action by Congress.
Washington, April 20.-Senate
Leader Kern of Indiana. an early
/ caller at the White House today, said
he thought there was no disposition
on the part of congress to discuss the
international situation in any way, but
every disposition to leave the presi-
dent embarra assed in handling the
crisis. He said that in as much as the
note had already gone to Germany,
/ talk in congress could do no good and
might possibly do harm.
Uitimatum Bcfits Occasion.
! The Westminster Gazette says:
president Wilson's message to con-
gress is a serious. high toned docu-
ment, which befits the occasion. The
| tone of the message foreshadowS mora
| than the mechanical breath of diplo-
matte relations.
president Wilson has mapped out
for himself a line OF action which ad-
mits no retreat"
The Pail Mall Gazette says:
"The significance of the president
! review is that he is unable any longer
| to withhold official cosnizance of the
| true character of German policy and
of the insincerities wherewith his
; former protests have been countered
ton specified, there is no reason to ex-
pect, but upon the eventual conse-
quences of the presidents message. il
will be fruitless to speculate America
at least may be congratulated upon
having reached the point where she is
no longer compelled to wear the full
livery of official neutrality as between
man and beast"
Would Not Mean War.
The Globe says:
Suspension of diplomatic relations
the United States would necessarily be
in state of war with Germany but il
would mean that repetition of Ger
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