Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-20

the necessity of prompt action by
/ Germany. In his message yesterday
TO Berlin the ambassador urged that
something be done Immediately.
While declining to discuss the sit
uation the ambassador clearly indi-
Gated it hazardous to indulge in spec
ulation.
No Word From Gerard.
Secretary Lansing said early today
Ambassador Gerard had not notified
the department of the receipt of the
/ ceived from the German foreign office
another memorandum on the Sussex
case.
Whether all German consuls and
consular agents would be dismissed
and such American consular repre-
| sentatives in Germany recalled, in
case diplomatic relations are severed,
was discussed by state department
officials. Explaining the expression i'll
/ the United States note regarding sew
! ering relations altogether" it was
officially stated that the word was
used to add emphasis to the note and
also indicate this governments inten-
ton to make any break complete by
the recall Of its ambassador and con-
! suls and request the recall of Ger
many's diplomatic and consular off,
Gals.
Washington, April 2O.-The United
States government, having said its last
word to Germany in the submarine
controversy, turned today with grave
expectancy to Berlin, where rests the
decision whether the imperial gov
eminent shall abandon its present
methods of submarine warfare or
break with Washington.
President Wilson probably will wait
until the end of the week for Germany
to reply to his virtual ultimatum,
which declares intention Of the Uni
ted States to sever diplomatic rela-
tons unless the Berlin government
Immediately" gives up the use of
submarines against commerce and
squares her submarine policy with the
principles of humanity and interna-
tional law.
Allow Few Days Time.
No time limit was set in the COM
munication but the president is
known to hold the opinion that three
or four days would be reasonable
period to allow to Germany for de-
cision. If none is forthcoming within
reasonable time the step accom-
plishing break in relations with all
its grave possibilities, will be taken.
| Count Won Bernstorff, Germany's am
bassador, would receive his passports
and American Ambassador Gerard at
Berlin would be instructed to come
| home.
Congress assembled today impress
ed with the deep significance of the
presidents action. The dispassionate
words In which Mr.. Wilson yesterday
| told joint session Of the house and
| senate of his purpose took on a fuller
force of meaning when publication of
the note to Germany, almost identi-
cal with the address in outline and
! phrase, revealed in what unmistakable
terms the American government had
declared itself.
Count Hopes to Avoid Break.
Count Won Bernstorff, optimistic
throughout the long negotiations that
have approached a crisis, though less
nearly, several times before, was
hopeful that his government would
find way to prevent a break in re-
lations. Last night he sent a long
message to Berlin, said to recommend
| that some such assurances as were
given regarding submarine operations
| in the Mediterranean should now be
thrown around all submarine opera
lions.
The note declares that the United
States has considered from the first
that the destruction of commerce by
submarines Is utterly incompatible
with the principles of humanity" 1t
is evident that the presidents de-
mand is that the employment Of sub
marines shall be restricted to opera
lions against warships. This is the
crucial point in the controversy.
Note a Surprise to England.
London, April 20.-Although recent
dispatches from America had led the
British public to expect a sharp note
from the United States to Germany in
regard to the submarine controversy,
the language employed by President
Wilson in his address to congress came
as something of surprise. The even
ing newspapers generally refer to the
note as an ultimatum, pointing out
that although no date for a reply has
been fixed, Germany is expected to send
| its answer by the end of the week.
Opinion is divided as to what atti-
tude Germany will adopt Some of the
newspapers take the view that public
opinion will compel the Berlin govern
ment to refuse to comply with the de-
mands of the United States. Others
are equally certain Germany will aban-
don indiscriminate submarine warfare
rather than sever relations with the
greatest Of neutral powers.
The note had little effect on the
stock market.
The Westminster Gazette referred to
the presidents warning says:
Language Of this kind between