The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-04-23
FOREIGN COMMENT
Continued From First Page,


indicated that American business men
In Germany had made arrangements
TO wind up their business in forty
eight hours and leave the country II
diplomatic relations are broken or.
Other reports showing efforts OF
Austro- Hungarian officials to influence
Germany to settle the U-boat issue
with the United States. were encour-
aging to officials.
There was considerable discussion
today OF the forecasted plan Of set
Element suggested, by diplomatic
sources In the International News Ser
vice dispatches Of this morning.
Administration officials maintained
their earlier position that the United
States could not accept from Germany
any form OF settlement contingent
upon obtaining concessions from the
other beliigerents. II Germany. indf-
Gates It's willingness to abandon Its
fare, ana agrees to visit and search
enemy merchantmen. providing these
vessels submit to 1t. 1t would at least
be better than q refusal to discusses
any changes whatever with the United
States. II Germany should couple
this mode of settlement with q pledge
to suspend present methods OF sub
marine warfare pending discussion,
1t is thought unlikely that the United
States would refuse to enter into any
discussion.
An Extreme Construction.
An extreme construction OF the
| Presidents note would indicate that
an Immediate break in relations would
follow anything but full compli-
ance by Germany with the American
| demands. But no officials today
would go to the length OF saying that
the United States would close the
door to all discussion II the German
government should make counter pro-
| posals after first pledglng itself to
suspend illegal submarine operations
while these proposals were under dis
cussion. limitations from high off,
cials of the State DEPARTMENT today
were to the effect that the Won Igel
incident would be eliuiu&tad from tho
1 submarine issue early next week.
They said that the department IN
L anxious not to let the one phase OF
II the controversy with. Germany be-
come complicated with the other.
The department has virtually agreed
L to return to Amhasaador.yvon Bern
storfr all the Won Ige1 .paners that he
shall call "official." although 1t was
stated today there IL q possibility that
II the IltEy A6Ng W AsaAAC t4AG
Il decision as to the Official charac-
Il ter OF certain documents.
Declarations OF the German arm
/ bassador as to the papers Will neces.
sarily carry much weight. but the de-
partment will make the final deci'
sion," said high official
Known As An advertising Office
/ 1t was declared by the same au'
thority that the department has neve,
had official information as to the
claim that Won Igel's office in New
York office was German territory
He said 1t was known as IAN adver-
Using office" and as such was raided
1t is said there are presidents fol-
the actual raiding of diplomatic of.
flee when It was suspected that 1t wat
. the source OF plot against the gov
eminent in which 1t was located. One
of the presidents. he explained, con.
cerned the seizure of papers in an of
fetal Swedish office in London wher
the official was charged with conspir.
ing against the British government.
Tt was stated at the Department OF
Justice that Won Igel is not immune
He is subject to arrest Just as any
other foreigner Is. they said, declaring
that immunity extends only to the
ambassador, his family, embassy at
taches and embassy employees.
Ambassador Won Bernstorff. 1t wal
said, has an appointment to see Sec
rotary Lansing Monday afternoon
An understanding may then b'
reached as to the further action b!
this government. The fact becam,
known today that the administration
has given official attention to the re
port that a German consular agen
has been active in anti-American op
erations around Parral. Mexico. thu
scene of the clash between American
soldiers and Carranzistas. A high of
ficial says no authentic information
on the report had yet reached thu
state Department.