Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-04-21
AMBASSADOR TALKS
WITH LANSING ABOUT
SUBMARINE SITUATION
German Representative Is Said
to Have Informed His Gov
eminent of Way to Meet De-
mandS of United States
az Assaeiascd PrssE,

(Ey Associated Press.>
BERLIN, april 2O.-(Nia London-)--
The American note to Germany arrived
in Berlin late yesterday evening. Am
bassador Gerard probably will present
it to the foreign Office early this after
noon.
WASHINGTON, April 2O.-The United
States government, having said its last
word to Germany IL the submarine con-
troversy. turned today with grave ex-
pectancy TO Berlin, where rests the de-
cision whether the imperial government
shall abandon its present methods OF
submarine warfare OF break with Wash
incton.
Count Won Bernstorff the German am
bassador. went to the state department
today for a conference with Secretary
uation and also to discuss the arrest in
New York of Wolfe Won Igel secretary
of former German Military Attaehe Won
Papen.
Secretary Lansing and the German
ambassador were in conference fully
twenty minutes. After the ambassador
had left the secretary of war would
make no statement regarding the dis
c1ssion.
NO WORD FROM GERARD.
Secretary Lansing said early today
time notified the department of the
receipt of the American note. Neither
had Mr.. Gerard reported having received
from the German foreign office another
memorandum on the Sussex case. as
reported in press dispatches.
Whether all German consuls and con-
sdlar agents would be dismissed and
such American consular representatives
IN Germany recalled, in case diplomatic
relations are severed was discussed by
state department officials 1t was stated
that rupture would not necessarily
extend to consuls, although diplomatic
custom generally included such Of
ficials.
Explaining the expression in the
United States note regarding severing
relations altogether it was officially
stated the word was used to add en-
phasis to the note and also, Indicate
this governments intention to make
any break complete by the recall of its
ambassador and consuls and request the
recall of Germany's diplomatic and con-
sular officials.
1t was said that in some diplomatic
breaches, the nation taking the initia-
tive had recalled its ambassadors with
out dismissing the foreign envoy ac-
credited to it, but it was understood
that if a break occurs with Germany
both Ambassadors Bernstorff and Gerard
undoubtedly would be affected.
LANSING HOPES FOR BEST.
Regarding the hope held by German
officials here for an amicable settlement,
one official described the prospect of
toss up
Secretary Lansing explained in detail
the position of the United States and
is understood to have expressed the sin
cere hope that the attitude of the Ger
h. ID
as to meet the position.
The ambassador was understood to
have informed the secretary of the de-
tails of a message he sent yesterday
making certain recommendations which
he believed would be satisfactory to the
United States.
In addition the ambassador informed
the secretary of message of highly
confidential nature from Berlin.
After returning to the embassy Count
Won Bernstorff prepared long dispatch
to his government. The ambassador
was authoritatively represented as hav-
ing sought the secretary's views in re-
gard to a tentative proposal that Ger
many issue Immediately declaration
covering all submarine operations sim
liar to that issued on January for the
operations in the Mediterranean The
general belief is that no step will be
considered until some direct response
from Berlin has been received.
Ambassador Bernstorff was under
stood to have been impressed with the
necessity of prompt action by Germany.
In his message yesterday the ambassa-
dor urged that something be done imme-
diately.
After the conference it was learned
that German diplomats regard the re-
Ceipt of a reply from Germany within
two or three days as physically impos-
sible. 1t was thought a reply could
not be received here before ten days 1t
was pointed out that Easter Monday
is a holiday in Germany and that nee
essary consultations of officials would
cause almost another week to elapse be-
fore the German decision could be trans
mitted here.
WILSON WILL NOT DELAY
President Wilson probably will wait
at least until the end of the week for
Germany to reply to his virtual ultima
tum, which declares the intention of
the United States to sever diplomatic
relations unless the Berlin government
Immediately gives up the use of sub
marines against commerce and squares
her submarine policy with the princi-
pies of humanity and international
law.
No time limit was set in the COM
but the president is known
10 hold the opinion that three or four
days would be a reasonable period to
allow to Germany for a decision. If
rome is forthcoming within a reason
able time the step accomplishing
break IL relations, with all its grave
possibilities, will be taken. Count von
Bernstorff, Germany's ambassador,
would receive his passports and Ameri-
Continued On Page 3, Col. ~
q Eull text of President Will