The sun., 1916-12-25
New Factor in War Is Said to
Be Germany's Bad Eco
nOmic Condition.
REPLY TO NOTE DELAYED
"He Would Keep the Cup Of
War From His Lips" Says
Paris Newspaper.
s,.c,o, Cali. D.s,o,eh 10 tn. Sun.

ton thai the reply will be a Joint re-
ply with all the Allies. and hence 10 de-
iayed for joint consideration and moi
from confederation regarding its nature.
So far as that goes France might have
drafted her reply Immediately the note
was received.
It IL impossible to obtain ofhcial opin-
Ions for quotation In France. where the
traditional reticence in this respect has
been strengthened by the unlimited use
Germany has made Of omctal interviews
for propaganda purposes. Seml-ofhcial
statements are obtainsble. however.
The importance OF The moment Presi-
dent Wilson has chosen for his move Is
emphasized In such semi-odictal state
ments. The President has been kept
well informed OF the internal conditions
lin the chief ~belligerent nations. earlier
by special ENJOYS such A. Co. House.
lately by Ambassador Gerard's visit. so
that the fact that lie has refrained from
speaking until now shows that some new
factor has entered In recent months
which did not exist. for example. a year
8
Geroa.y's Ecsnsnie Plight
In these semi-omciai interviews the
deductioN In left TO the nearer that this
new factor 10 Germany's economic condi-
tion. when the correspondent OF THE
Sun asked whether the reply to Presi-
dent Wilson's note would enliGhten the
President on the causes Of the war. OF
which he professed to be ignorant. the
answer was that a certain diplomatic
| iUnnransa una npTaSSarv in n man whc
wishes to intervene In any form I'm the
great confag:ation.
The press continues to discuss Presi.
dent Wilson's motives In sending the
note. Several newspapers find the ex-
PLANTATION In Secretary Lansing's words
that the United States IL on the verge OF
war.
Stephen Pinchon. a former Cabinet
Minister. writes that this un%easiness ~
large measure decided President Wilson
to send the note
Germany r. on the point Of pursu'
ing a submarine war such as President
Wilson had denounced and on which
Germany had yielded. But Wilson II
on the eve OF being forced 10 choose be,
tween the execution Of his threats OF
pure and simple submission to the re
newal OF a greatly aggravated form oi
submarine warfare which ne had con
demned in the name Of his country and
inc r'sn's Oh hu"'"n''y'
~S~ A.. -,.-.. u... s,s..
American boats have ALREADY beer
sunk without warning. Others will sooi
be. especially whan the submarines he
Ing constructed arc ready In the spring
President Wilson therefore has to de
eide. lie might rave recalled his previ
u declarations to Berlin and threlt
ened a rupture Of relations II the pledg'
was violated rms apparently was no
what the President wished. since instea,
OF adopting a line OF conduct the losics
result OF his past attitude. he blamei
all the belhserents. treating both SIDE
inadvertently putting both upon the sam'
level
NJ fihchoh says ne uhoerstanns IN
natural WIEN no' 10 10 orssss" NV" Ut
war pu' q" 'e,"~ny ~" ".s'"" ."
VIC SUI ~. =. a.u So !,
80 ..a -,
nh. piooro also nnd The. hash. Ia
Wilson'S acts In Lansing's words. 81
rea,Iy II " per"nps wa 49," 80
drawn into the war.
$
,, Testsns In Last Extre entities.
"pr..id.r, wilson knows Cermanx
driven N Tho Las, extremitie.. reduced I
Tho last re.ort.' says the Figaro. III
know. she is on the eve Of resorting t
: the mos, savage means Of warfare. II
sees the moment approaching when Ger
many will forget all her promises an
pledges and will pursue a merciless sui
: marine war. fie knows that that da
American ships will he destroyed lik
sl.N 49,, la st