Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-10-11
Ambassador Gcrard's Mission

a AMBASSADOR GERARD back I'm America
a ION vacation" does not deny he has
come home to the President Of the
strong probability that Germany will re-
Introduce submarine warfare on q new and
even more frightful scale He contents him
self with pointing out that in the news
article carrying this information. which The
Times Dispatch printed Yesterday, he is not
quoted.
The correspondent who sent this wireless
telegram from the vessel on which both he
anu Mr.. Gerard were passengers is known
10 newspaper men as a careful and conscicn-
tious member OF the craft. He has been in
Germany during the recent troubled months
and has had access to sources of information
close to the government. He has watched
the progress Of the campaign. headed by the
friends of Admiral Won Tirpitz to reverse the
Councillors policy and use every means
which may be thought calculated to bring
Great Britain TO her knees
To have said the aniba ssador would lay
this situation before the President was TO
have stated the obvious. for even from this
side the ocean the gathering clouds have
been in plain sight The contribution Mr.
Swope has made to American understanding
is in his declaration that the danger Of re-
newed and more ruthless subrna rne warfare
visit
Mir. Gerard had not intended 10 come home
He journeyed from Berlin to Copenhagen
TO arrange for the departure of Mrs Gerard
and II was while he was in the Danish capital
on this mission that he received orders or
suggestions which led him aboard the
Frederik VIII 1t is clear enough this is not
exactly the time the American ambass ador
at Berlin would select for mere vacation
There must be some compelling reason which
takes Mr.. Gerard away from his post al this
perilous iuncture. That he comes to warn
I'M e 4,
Ponds is supported not only by Mr.. Swope's
positive statement. but by all the extrinsic
evidence and all the intrinsic probability
The defeat of President Wilson on No
vember q. Mr.. Swope said in his telegram.
would be greeted in the German empire as
a gigantic German victory. ana ! was told
by Cabinet members and business men SOL
diers and professors. that flags would be
hung cut OF every window in honor OF the
OCCASION
1t is not difficult to understand what eff
fect the Presidents defeat. interpreted and
heralded, would have on the campaign 10
lnaugurate new era Of frightfuiness What
Germany can do was shown on Sunday off
Nantucket light. What she would do. be-
lieving the American President who had held
her within the limits OF law had been re-
buked and repudiated by the American peo-
pie, is fixed and dreadful certainty
III that event the personal attitude or
political gratitude of Mr.. Hughes would be
impotent to control the situation The de-
struction OF American lives by some under
hea raider would bring this country into the
war Countless American lives would he
sacrificed. billions Of dollars would be added
10 the public debt, prosperity would vanish
taxes would increase immeasurably A vote
for Hnghes--and here is thought 10 give
German Americans pause-is a vote for war
with Germany, no matter how or where
Hughes himself stands