Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-04-20
GOVERNMENT COURIER
AND EMBASSY ATTACHES
Besides NeWspapermen We're
Among Rash Americans"
On Sussex
By Robert ]. Bender.

Omitted Press staff correspondent)
Washington, April 20.-For 20 min
yates today Ambassador Won Bernstorff
discussed with Secretary Lansing the
possibility of avertihg diplomatic
break between the United States and
Germany. The Teuton representative OBJ
tanned Lansing's views on the steps
necessary to make submarine warfare
conform to America s ideas of law and
humanity.
Although Won BernstoTff would not
comment on the conference, it was un-
derstood that he does not take hope
less view of the situation. 1t is known
that he gave Lansing good reasons to
believe that another disaster similar t.
that which befcll the Sussex will not
occur while the present negotiations are
being conducted.
1t was pointed out to Lansing that
since America has asked for a distinct
change in the German submarine policy
there naturally must be numerous con
ferences between Berlin officials
Marines have been ordered to guard
the wireless stations at luckGrti, N.
j., and Sayyille, L, T., officials admit
ted. This move is suppose lly taken to
protect them from anti German demon
strations and to permit their seizure in
case Of break Much Of the news from
Berlin is received at these stations.
Won Bernstorff Impressed.
=. II.
ed by the administration s earnestness.
He has fully reported the situation to
Foreign Minister Won ,Jagow in Berlin.
If this meeting with Lansing today
comes before he receives instructions
from the kaiser, the conference is likely
to be tentative. Germany 3 official re-
ply to the new American note is eN-
pected by Monday at the latest.
The state department today reiterat-
ed its contention that the present or
ders to submarines must be withdrawn
and their attacks confined to warships
pending any determination Of new
plan Of operation against merchantmen.
This is the clear intent Of the demand
on Germany.
The Lansing Bernstorff conference
will probably deal with how the sub
marine warfare should be conducted, ac-
cording to American views.
Congress Backs President
Senator Kern, Of Indiana, an early
at the White House, said that congress
was not disposed to discuss the situa-
tion with Germany, leaving President
Wilson unembarrassed in handling the
I nj 81 10 flaA
note to Germany had already gone, talk
in congress could do no good and might
possibly be harmful.
| In reply to criticisms like that Of
Senator Gore, who said that President
Wilson was risking war in Europe be
cause a few rash Americans insisted on
travelling on armed ships, the White
House pointed out that the controversy
had shifted entirely from the armed
merchantmen angle as a result of the
| Sussex incident. The Sussex was not
armed, neither was it merchantman.
II was passenger ferry plying over
course not taken by merchantmen.
Among the. trash American" aboard
were newspapermen, government cour-
Ter and embassy attaches, the very ma
ture Of whose work necessitated their
presence aboard under belligerent flag
since there are no neutral vessels on
which II is possible to reach France
now.
Secretary Daniels said that marines
sent to Tuckerton and Sayville woul
not seize the wireless stations. He
added that no additional steps had been
| tnkeu 10 watch informed German yes
sells.