Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-04-25
PLANS ARE MADE To
HANDLE SITUATION IF
GERMAN BREAK COMES
Early Dispatches From AM
baSSador Gerard Indicate
Berlin Was Surprised at Fl
naIity of Wilson's Demands

WASHINGTON, April 22.-The United
States mas made tentative plans to cope
with every conceivable situation which
would result from the severance OF dip
Iomatic relations with Germany. For
reasons they indicated were obvious, Of
ficials tonight deemed il unwise to dis
cuss the details.
There is reason for believing, how
ever, that some Of the plans have to do
with the safety of American citizens IN
the German empire and that others nave
to DO with American supervision of
German interests in the countries at war
with Germany.
Numerous dispatches on these sub
iects are understood to nave been sent
10 diplomatic representatives abroad,
particularly to Ambassador Gerard at
Berlin. The dispatches are regarded as
being highly confidential and for that
reason information concerning them is
unavailable here.
Among dispatches received from Am
basador Gerard within the past two
days was one describing the manner IN
which the American note was received
nv German officials. While this, too,
was held as confidential, ii is understood
the ambassador represented Berlin Of
ficials as being greatly surprised at the
demands of Washington. Mr.. Gerard is
said TO have gathered at least an i'm
preston that the foreign Office had nc
idea that the communication would be
AZ drastic and final as IL was.
The general feeling here tonight APP
tarently was not at all optimistic re-
garding the outcome. In the absence
of further informative advices ron
Ambassador Gerard, the days press
DISPATCHES were read closely. Indica-
lions in them that there might be de-
laws or requests for additional inror-
nation were regarded by officials az
significant. 1t is well understood. how
ever, that the United States under nc
consideration will permit delay and ais
cussion unless il is preceded by oec'
Iaration from Germany that she has sc
modified her submarine warfare as tc
bring IL within the scope or interna-
tional law.
DISPATCHES of an important nature are
hourly expected from Ambassador Ger
ard 1t is expected that before Mon
dav. or certainly soon thereafter, the
ambassador will be in a position tS
forecast with some degree of accuracy
what will be the view OF the German
government. =
In the meantime the situation IT
Washington remains one Of tense ex
pectancy. Officials are confident tha'
before thfs time next week the issues
will have been settled, that the Unit
ed States will feel certain the safety
of innocent non-combatants on th'
high seas is assured. or steps for dip
lIomatfc break will have been taken
Among the foreign diplomats here tn
effect OF a break between the Unlte'
States and Germany is topic or wide
interest. The consensus OF opinion
seems to be that diplomatic relations
between the United States and the aliel
! of Germany need not necessarily De al
fected. In regard to Austria, however
much is considered to depend upon I'M
answer made by the Vienna government
10 the American inquiry regarding TIT
attack upon the Russian bark Imperator
! carving two American citizens, one o
/ whom was injured by shrapnel nre Am
bassador PenfieId was directed to max
/ the inquiry early this week. No repl!
4 had been received today, and he ma!
soon be instructed to renew the inquiry
! II is considered quite probable tina
Austria will be called to account, SHOULD
! IL develop that her submarines ais
Z have not been acting with a proper re
gard for the rights of non-combatants
/ the United States being determined tina
/ illegal submarine warfare, wherever AM
by whomsoever conducted, must cease
An appointment was arranged toda'
I for Senator Stone, chairman of tn
senate foreign relations committee, 4
| see President Wilson Monday night Z
] discuss some features Of the foreigi
| situation, but late today the senator sen
/ word to the White House that he had al
| engagement with the Chinese ministe
| that night. He asked that the confer
ence be arranged for another date, ant
! he will probably see the president late
3 in the week.