Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-04-20
R0N BERNST0RFF
CABLES HOME U. S.
MEANS BUSINESS
Envoy Urges Berlin to
Take Instant Action to
Avoid Break
TO SEE LANSING TODAY
Advises Pledge of Warning to
Ships, as in Medi-
terranean

WASHINGTON, April 20--Count Won
Bernstorff, the German Ambassador, sent
70 Berlin last night a long dispatch inter-
pretIng the situation I'm Washington and
making certain recommendations. He is
understood to have advised his Govern
inont that he believed the United States
meant Just what Il said in it's submarine
note and that something would have to
be done quickly II friendly relations were
to continue. The Ambassador himself.
having read the address of the President
and the note, said:
II can make no comment either upon
the address or upon the communication
which has been sent to my Government"
However, he was authoritatively de-
scrfbed as having advised the Berlin For
eign Office that he believed at least some
such declaration as that made regard
ing the conduct Of submarine warfare in
the Mediterranean Sea should be issued
Immediately to cover all submarine opera
tions
BROADER PROMISE MADE,
The Mediterranean declaration was
handed to Secretary Lansing by the Am
bassador on January of this year. 1t
contained assurances much broader in
their scope than those given to cover the
activities of submarines in the war zone
around the British Isles, though Germany
has contended from the first that 1T was
engaged In a campaign of retaliation for
tho British blockade.
The assurances were to the effect that
only cruiser warfare would be con.
Quoted against enemy merchant shipping
and that noncombatant ships OF every
character, freight as well as passenger
carrying. would be accorded proper warn.
ing and safety for their passengers and
crews. The assurances. which have been
given for the war zone around the Brit
isii Isles covered only timers. ~'
The declaration of January also prom
ised that German submarine commanders
who failed to obey the assurances given
would be punished and that reparation
would be made for death or injury to
American citizens. German commanders
operating in the Mediterranean. 1t was
said in the declaration, which was issued
after the steamship Persia had gone down,
had particular Instructions TO exclude
such measures of reprisal as were applied
in the war zone around the British Isles.
LANSING CONSENTS TO INTERVIEW.
1t Is expected that Count Won Bern
storff will confer with Secretary Lansing
today. The Secretary informed him yes
terday that he was ready to discuss the
matter at the Ambassadors convenience.
Since the inception OF the present situa-
tIon Count Won Bernstorff has made two
attempts to discuss the situation with the
Secretary On each occasion he was in
formed, however, that he would be given
an opportunity later. The time OF the
proposed conference had not been defi-
niteIy fixed as. yet. n
while the Ambassador last night ap-
hred to be more perturbed than at any
zfme since the bginneing of thh submarine
controversy. nd was said to feel that his
Government would go to every possible
length to prevent the severance of diplo-
matte relations. Persons in close touch
with affairs at the Embassy quoted him
as saying:
81 believe that some way will be found
satisfactorily to meet the position Of the
United States" &