The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-04-20
war With u. S.
A Benefit TO
TEUTON CAUSE
Plunger Warfare Could Be Car
ried on Unhampered
By Consideration of American
Rights or Objections.
MORE VALybRIT az An Evenly
Germans in United States Could
Secure Better Terms.
Z. y. Could Seize informed Ships
Valued at S1S0,O0O,000.
Plunger Warfare Could Be Car
ried on Unhampered
BY Consideration of American
Rights or Objections.
MORE VlLysRIr ac An Evenly
Germans in United States Could
Secure Better Terms.
Z. =. Could Seize Interned Ships
Valued at S1SO,O0O,000.

Washington, April 20.-Official and
diplomatic circles today discussed the
possibility Of war with Germany as a
result of the new note to Berlin. The
concensus of opinion was that Ger
many might derive possible benefit if
a state Of war between the United
states and that country should be de-
clared to exist.
War. il was believed. would depend
upon Germany's idea as To the termi-
nation of the conflict in Europe. If
she desired to keep the United States
as "A friend. it was said. she probably
would move to satisfy TINS government
but if she would resent President VII
sons action, it was asserted she might
not wait for Washington TO act but
would present Ambassador Gerish
with mis- passports
Germany. it was stated, would bene-
lit from "a state of war with the United
States in three ways;
The United States would posi-
bly be OF more value to her as an
enemy than as friendly neutral, be
cause the recognition of state OF war
would qualify this country Tor seat
al the peace congress Germany, 1t
was thought. in such an event, would
induce the millions Of Germans in the
United States to use their influence
with the government to nave Amer
ica's delegates TO the peace congress
Instructed to obtain favorable terms
FOR Germany.
sub Actions Unhindcrcd.
2 A state of war would enable
Germany to conduct her submarine
warfare more vigorously than ever,
with total disregard for the wishes or
rights of the United states, and she
might thus perfect her design OF max
ing Great Britain feel the pinch of
dor La cd q
many's belief that if her submarine
operations were unhampered. she
could cut England off from commerce
with the world.
g. A state Of war would compel the
United States To take immediate steps
for preparedness, and this would have
the effect Of reducing the expectation
of war supplies to England ana
France.
II was said the greatest hurt the
United states could inflict on Germany
would be TO furnish gold and supplies
To- the allies and to supervise more
closely exports of all kinds to Holland
and the scandinavian countries.
100000 Guns 10 Allies.
War and navy department experts
discussed theoretically today the pos
sfhfe military and naval acts of this
country should war with Germany re-
suit The army view was that 10000
guns i'm the possession of this govern
ment not now needed. would be ship
ped To the allies. The engineer de-
partment. working with the navy it
is said. would begin the actual mining
81 every harhor on the Atlantic sea-
board and the 1A-inch guns intended
for Hawaii. Panama and the Philip
pines would he diverted to the At
iantic. II was regarded as the most
remote possibility that the United
States might send an expedition to
France.
Guard Foreign Ports.
Tho navy view was that Germany
would attempt TO capture or destroy
every vessel from an American port
il was declared the first move of the
navy would be to send so or 60 tor
pedo boat destroNers to guard certain
British and French ports. Vessel.
from American ports crossing the At
tantic possibly would have naval con
vows.
IL was estimated that the value OF
interned German war vessels and Ger
man merchant ships enjoying asylum
ia the United states is about $3.50
100000. Most officials declared il
there should be war, the United state,
would seize the informed ships There
was question what action would b,
taken regarding the liners.
There were rumors today that por
authorities at New York. Philadelphia
and Baltimore had received orders no
to allow the German Vessels to escap,
and to keep "A closer watch on thei1
crews. IL was said if war SHOULD
break out. the German crews nigh
attempt To destroy their ships.
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