Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-05-06

Overnight study Of the note by Off
Gals did not change their view that
there would be no break in diplo-
matte relations unless there were
further attacks in violation Of inter
national law.
There is a possibility that the Unit
ed States may notify the Berlin gov
eminent that as long as the new
orders 10 submarine commanders are
fully observed diplomatic relations
will not be discontinued on that
score.
Secretary Lansing already has
studied the note once and was going
over it very carefully again today.
There were indications that further
consideration by the cabinet would not
be necessary.
Bernst0rff Returns.
Count Won Bernstorff, the German
ambassador, returned to the embassy
today from New York. He said he
had no communication from his gov
eminent and had no reason to visit
the state department. The embassy
view that the note was all the United
States asked, remained unchanged.
Several members of the cabinet
have left Washington and are not ex-
pected back before Monday. Secretary
Lansing has gone to Annapolis for
the week end, Secretary Baker is in
Cleveland and Postmaster General
Burieson is on a short fishing trip.
President Studies Note.
President Wilson read today with
careful attention the portion of the
note touching on peace. Some officials
believed much significance should be
attached to that part of the note be-
cause 1t was taken to indicate Off
clally that recent speeches of Chan
cellor Won Bethmann-Hollweg before
the reichstag were intended as no
tees to the world that Germany was
ready for peace on certain terms.
The note says The German govern
ment, conscious of Germany's strength,
twice within the last few months an
nounced before the world its readi-
ness to make peace on a basis safe
guarding Germany's vital interests.
Note Called Peace Hope.
London, May 6.-The Daily News
gives a prominent place in today's is
sue to a long dispatch from Rotter-
belief in Holland that the German note
to the United States was carefully pre-
pared in the hope that it may lead
eventually to peace negotiations. The
dispatch says it may lead eventually
to peace negotiations. The dispatch
says in part:
There is a belief here that behind
the whole cloud Of vague and condi-
tional promises lies the hope that ne
gotiations for peace will be opened
with England through the mediation
OF the United States. Germany hopes
that Washington will open discussion
on the naval blockade which will wild
en- by easy stages to eventual discus
sion Of possible peace conditions"
Gerard Holding Hand.
The Daily News correspondent also
says that the Wolff Bureau sent out
an article this week in which an anon
ymous neutral discusses the relations
between Germany and the United
States and suggests that Ambassador
Gerard now has an opportunity TO lay
the foundations for peace negOtia-
ions, This article appeared in the
same issue of the German newspapers
with the text of the reply 10 the Amer
lean note. II says:
This appears to be the historic
Opportunity for America. If the Unit
20 States maintains an equally firm
position against the starvation OF &c :
many as against the German subma-
fine warfare, then there will be an
opening for the belligerents 10 con-
slder how they may end this miserable
War;"