New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-20
No Further Delay to
Be Permitted at
Any Cost
ENVOY TOO FREE
WITH OPINIONS
Tried to Put President in
False Light, Is
Charge.
From The Tribune Bureau J

From IN. Tribune Bureau
Washington, Feb. 19.-The Admin
istration is prepared for a real
crisis in its relations with the Teu-
tonic powers. officials attribute TO
President Wilson a determination 10
bring the submarine issue TO a close
without further delay, whatever the
cost
The first sign Of this deter1nina-
ton is a growing impatience with
Ambassador von Bernstortf. The
Administrations tendency, which
was extremely marked until recently,
to conciliate him, has given way to
coolness which, it is believed. will
either impress him with the neces-
sity Of changing his tactics OF bring
about an estrangement that may
lead TO his dismissal.
Government officials charge the
ambassador with unfair relations
with the press. They say he has
been entirely TOO free with his opin-
ions on the controversies between
tie United States and Germany and
has created false impressions regard
ing them that have placed the Ad-
ministration in an unfavorable light.
They believe also, that II was
Ambassador Won Bernstorff who
prompted his government 70 send
the recent warning that armed mer-
chantmen would be treated as ships
OF war, and that in so doing he be-
lieved he had caught this govern
ment off its guard and had assured
a violent controversy with the En-
tente.
Relations Near a Break
Some officials go so far as TO de-
clare that Ambassador Won Bern
storff's days here are numbered, ana
that friendly relations with Germany
ere hanging by very slight thread.
Recent utterances of high German
officials in Berlin are also viewed as
insulting TO this government.
Critics of the Administration say
the present aversion 10 the German
Ambassador is based on the con-
viction that he is no longer useful
for President Wilson's political ends.
Until recently, they say, the Presl-
dent believed that with the ambassa-
doris help an understanding could be
reached on the Lusitania that would
be generally approved, but that with
out him the two governments could
never be reconciled.
II Is now apparent, they point OUT
tha. Ambassador Won Bernstorf has no
intention of playing President Wilson's
game, but is taking advantage OF every
opportunity 20 block it. The President
IS believed 20 realize this. and is there
fore considering whether the dismissal
Of the Ambassador, after all, would nor
be the most popular course.
Short Of summary action that would
bring the whole controversy with the
Central Powers TO a breaking poin,
within a few hours, officials see a. tho
only course that it can possibly take
prolonged discussion on technical
points Of international law, wrangling
over the definition Of an armed ship
and other contested questions. Such a
discussion, they admit, would weaken
the Administration through disappoint-
ing the expectation OF quick settle
ment and because Of the opportunity it
would give the Presidents critics.
Concern About Campaign Issues.
The virtual certainty that next sum
mer's campaign will be fought largely
Oh issues Of international politics has
caused the Administration grave con
cern. II is realized that it would be
suicide 10 enter upon such a campaign
with the Lusitania case still in the de-
batting stage, after more than a year
Of notes, confidential negotiations and
mutual recriminstions. Therefore.
President Wilson has decided to threat
en- Count Won Bernstorf once more.
and TO carry out the threat IL IL does
not produce the desired results.
While Ambassador Won Bernstorf u
rapidly diminishing in popularity, the
relations between the State Department
and the Entente envoys are growing
daily more cordial. II is safe TO say
that President Wilson's neutrality. al
ways technical rather than impartial,
is verging on benevolence toward thu
Allies. The State Department Is less
careful than heretofore 20 explain 10.