The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-30
WILSON INSISTS
ON REAL REPLY:
NOT AN APPEAL
Will Not Retreat From
stand on Submarines.
Washington Says.
PRESIDENT AWAITS
GERMANY''S ANSWER

w.AIlNGToS. April ?a.--President
vtison is nov awaiting the message
Which tho German Emperor is expected
10 convey to him through Ambassador
G-ird.
The animation. however. came both
FROM the White House and The State De-
rartmert to-day that the submarine is-
suc will not be affected by any message
other than u specific rcpl. to the prcsi-
dents demands that Germany 'immc-
dA,ciy declare and effect an abandon-
ner, Of present methods OF submarine
sartare.'
II Was said auth%oritatiycly that the
President Is determined not TO retreat
Pom his position requiring an unequivo-
cal reply from Berlin that he has de-
eiircd 10 send instructions to Mr.. Gerard
Ia enter into informal Exchanges Of
views with the Berlin Foreign Office
and that he does not intend TO wait many
more days for Scrmany's decision.
It may I've said also hat neither the
President nor Secretary Lansing regards
The crisis as passed. They have so far
received no shred OF official news that
indicates "A compliance with the demands
OF the United States or that justifies con-
ndence that such compliance will be
forthcoming.
The only news bearing on the situation
directly is an official report received
Ct the state Department that another
Steamship had been attacked by a Ger
man submarine in the Was zone. The
State Department declines to 20 into de-
tails except to announce that this spe-
c.hc case had been officially reported.
No Word From Wilson.
The authoritative outline OF the Pres
hent's present attitude clears up some
points which have mystited Berlin and
which have been mad the subject OF
press dispatches from the German capt.
IA. For the last few days there has
been comment concerning the lack Of
advices which Ambassador Gerard had
received from Washington. German
officials. in endeayoring to initiate tn
formal conferences with a view to ascer-
tanning what sort OF apswe would suit
tie United states. have found II difficult.
II not impossible. to discuss the matter
with Mr.. Gerard for the reason that
tie Ambassador did not NOW what the
Pr sident's views were on the points
nised.
"Gierard Is hampered by lack Of news
nom Washington" was the comment Of
one cabinet member when the "informal
conferences were first initiated by the
German Foreign Office. Then came
further news dispatches stating that Mr..
Gerard had asked for instructions and
had desired to know II the United States
had any suggestions to make prior to
his visit to Grand Army headquarters
for his conference with the Emperor.
Latest press dispatches from Berlin
say that Mr.. Gerard departed without
these suggestions and left word at the
embassy that they were to be tele-
graphed to him II they came while ne
was away. But the instructions or sug
scs;ions rave not been sent from here.
The lack of Instructions to Ambassador
Gerard is in accordance with the Presi-
dents resolve not further to discuss the
matter formally. He has said all ne
and he is interested only In Germany's
definite reply TO that note.
said 10 Re Cause Of Delay.
l. is understood the refusal of the
Crl,-l States TO enter into discussion OF
The American demands has had much TO
d. with the delay in the German reply.
The German Foreign Office has taken the
VIEW that II desires to reach an under
standing with the United states as to the
nature Of the concessions which Ger
many must make. or in other words. to
the KIND OF reply that would at least
avert the crisis. Mr.. Gerard. II Ii ex-
planned, has given his own personal
views, but has obtainedno outline Of any
compromise hat would be acceptable TO
the President.
The report reached Secretary Lansing
unofic!ally to-day hat the memorandum
issued nv the State Department defining
me position OF the United States on the
status of armed merchantmen had made
. very unfayorablc impression in Ber-
In. Though he would not 1t Is
sid that Mr.. Lansing was not in the
least surprised to learn this,
Inc position OF the United States was
defined for the specific purpose. II is now
cad, OF leaving no room for compromise
Or bubble on this important point. The
whole tenor of the memorandum OBJ
,ously was detrimental to any hope Ber-
i'm might have entertained TO Justify
Submarine attacks OF merchant ships
mat were armed for defence against visit
tnd search or any form Of submarine at
tack.
Isnsing's stand on search.
Germany previously has offered ia
Ni'.t', a campaign OF visit and search
against armed merchantmen. provided
INC United States would guarantee that
these ships would permit visit and
t"Hrcu.
Nut secretary Lansing took the stand
Nd' ships had "A right to defend them
selves 'ha, this right was unquestioncd
| under rfsrpatiouu lal and that he