Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-24

to the United States in response to the
note demanding the immediate abandon
ment of present methods of submarine
warfare.
whether the concessions will he suf-
ncieutly broad to meet the American
demands appears uncertain. However.
officials reflected an air of hopefulness
for en- amicable settlement of tho
issue.
Intimations by Officials.
II is understood Ambassador Gerard
has received broad intimations that the
German government will go to great
lengths to preserve friendly relations
with the United States. He is under
stood to have gained his impressions
from officials of the Berlin foreign
office, including Foreign Minister Won
Jagow.
The Berlin government is confronted
with finding way to satisfy the
United States without arousing the ele-
ment which insists upon a relentless
submarine campaign.
Mr.. Gerard's dispatches are OF high
ly confidential nature. and were re-
ceived during the night.
Chancellor Returns to Berlin.
BERLIN. April 24.-The imperial chan
celIor. DIR. Won Bethma mn Hollweg, re-
turned to Berlin yesterday afternoon.
which would seem to justify the assump-
fion that the empires responsible leaders
at great headquarters have finished con-
sideTation of the American note and
reached decision concerning Germany
reply.
The chancellor's return. it is under
stood. was not expected until Tuesday
hence general decision appears to have
been reached earlier than looked for
There seems to be much significance in
the fact that the Lokal Anzeiger, which
is consistently well informed. says that
'Gerrlanys strength and prestige have
increased in the last twenty months in
the eyes of the whole world that the Ger
man government has, indeed, only to fol-
low the commandments of wisdom.
Peace Party Has Strength.
The obvious deduction. according to the
view here, is that there is nothing to
prevent Germany from making certain
concessions if the leaders feel that they
prpperly do SO. Whether they dc
feel that they can go thus far is. Of
course. another question. There is un-
questionably a considerable peace party
in Germany. which includes powerful
financial interests represented by the
bourse organs and the Frankfurter lei
tung. and including also the Berlin Tage-
blatt and socialist organs. Certain high
officials. also. would consent to breach
of war with the United States only mos
reluctantly. and under pressure of what
seemed to them an unavoidable necessity
VI may be not without signifiance
that Maximilian Harden was permit
ted 10 print a remarkable article In his
pa per. Zukunft. defending Presiden,
wilson's standpoint in plain words.
With the possible exception of 2
handful of extremists. there appears Il
be nobody in Germany desirous of z
breach OF war with the United States
u is evident beyond doubt, however
that il the government should rejec
the demands of the American note re
spectipg submarine warfare it woult
and the united support of Germans O
II parties.
Even those to whom the idea of {
fupture between Germany and tn,
tinted States is most distastefuI agre.
'u feeling that the government mus
refuse to weaken its means of war
riuG against Great Britain, though thii
s""Gid mean a breach with the United
States
Faint Note Of Optimism.
A faint note OF opt,sisn is sounded b,
the Forwaerts. the organ of the so
c.al democratic party. but other paper.
speak openly of AN unavo:dabI,
breach The vorwaerts says:
Ali thsnking statesmen In German,
and America. conscious of their re
have the people behind them II, with
cut burryins. they seize every mean
which will prevent a breach"
A striking feature in connection will
the whole matter is the fact that tn
"wilson's note" and only in exceptiona
Gases of the American note" Most o
the papers disregard reports showin,
tnat Congress Is supporting Presiden
Wilson. and the Post declares that Nj
Wilson by no means has a safe ma
sori.y behind him"
The Lokal Anxeiger speaks OF Presi
dsst Wilson as "a short-sighted ma
will be Americas greatest enemy i
the future" and declares that he i
Trying TO- place false halo on hi
even the Tages Zeituns's customar
bitterness in its attack on Presiden
Wilson and the United States. an
speaks of breach between the tw
feet.
America England's Ally"
President wilson's ultimatum."
says shows that America has decide
that now Is 'he time openly to go owe
to the ranks OF Germanys opponents
and Americas demands seek to preven
Germany from striking England, who's
protector and ally America is.
"Pre.ideu: V ~ilson's uitimstum ha
cIea 'er up ;he situation even for thos
who formerly did not want to see ligh
HsC u come SIX weeks earlier. IL woul
hav. been more favora ole for us. W
no lorgeT can retreat. but rather mus
use the freedom which the enemy ha
given ~ 10 condicJ unlimited subn1a
rive warfare. with consideration fo
roboIy and rely upon the confidenc
~ oar experts. who hope, with the hei
or this weapon. used only from a mil!
taly standpoint, TO compel England I
peace.
~ breach in relations. becs suse il
inevitable. must be horne. II cannt
endangcr our favorable military pc
sition From breach OF relations I
q declaration OF war is fairly lon
ste:'. since the declaration Of war. az
s.,11 - con rti mi