The Johnson City comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1916-1917, 1916-04-27
POWERFUL GERMAN INTER
ESTS OPPOSE WAR

| NASIllNN1 YIN, " -, Aplll "a
Indications that powerful influence
in German politics are opposed t.
any action by the Berlin governmen
which might lead to the severance O
diplomatic relations with the United
States are understood to be contained
in confidential dispatches received
today by the state department from
Ambassador Gerard Socialists anC
labor leaders are reported as being
particularly adverse to any such
move.
Other dispatches from Mr.. Gerard
were said to contain strong intima-
tions that the Berlin government
would make some concessions to the
United States III reply to the note dc
manding the immediate abandonment
Of present methods of submarine
warfare. 1t is still uncertain, how
ever, whether the concessions will
be sufficiently broad in their scope 20
meet the American demands.
officials allowed it become known
that Mr.. Gerard's dispatches indi-
Gated that Germany would go to great
length to preserve friendly relations
with the United States. Mr.. Gerard
is understood to have gained his
views during conversations with Ber-
lin officials, including Foreign Minis
ter Won Jagow. His dispatches are
said to emphasize the difficulties by
which the German government is
confronted in endeavoring to find al
way to meet the demands of the
United States without arousing the
element which insists upon relent-
less submarine warfare against the
shipping of the entente allies.
Gerard sees the German Chancellor.
The state department tonight was
awaiting a dispatch from Mr.. Gerard
reporting the results of a lengthy
conference today with DR.. Won Beth
mann-Hollweg imperial German
chancellor. Press dispatches an
nounced that the conference had ta-
ken place were closely read. Officials |
expressed a particular interest in
that part of the press reports which |
indicated that the reply to the Amer
ican note would not be made until |
after the chancellor has another op-
portunity to confer with the empor- |
or, who is at the front. The fact that |
the conference lasted more than an |
hour was regarded as being hope
full sign; it being pointed out that if |
the German government was disposed
not to meet the American demands |
it was improbable there would have |
been a discussion of such length. A |
report from Mr.. Gerard is expected |
tomorrow.
All of Mr.. Gerards dispatches re-
ceived since the present situation
arose are held by administration Off
cials to be Of highly confidential |
nature. Consequently only general |
knowledge of their contents is OBJ
tainable.
Gerard Declined to Talk.
Berlin, April "a, via London.-The
American ambassador was called by
telephone to the imperial chancel-
or's palace this morning. He went
and the conference with
DR.. Won nn-Hollweg lasted an
hour and ten minutes.
When he came from the conference
Gerard declined to give
my information as to the nature of
he discussion and would not answer
| suestion as to whether anyone else
vas present.
1t is understood that the German
'eply 10 the American note will not
,e delivered before the imperial
chancellor has another opportunity of
,onferring with the emperor.