Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1916-04-29
President Wilson not Dis
posed to Press for Reply,
At Once
EMBASSY IS CHEERFUL
Dispatches From Berlin Held to In
dicate Disposition to Meet Demands
of United States

Washington April, 29.--Ambassa-
dor Gerard, at Berlin, in advising the
State Department yesterday that ne
had been invited to confer with EN-
peror William at army headquarters,
said he had not been informed OF
the purpose of the conference. In
fact, Secretary Lansing said when
announcing the receipt of Mr.. Ger
ards dispatch, no explanation of any
kind had accompanied the invitation.
The belief prevails here however
That the Emperor desires to- discuss
the general submarine situation with
Ambassador Gerard and possibly ex-
plain in detail his views for the bene-
fit of President Wilson. Diplomats,
especially those attached to Teu-
tonic embassies, seemed to regard
the conference between the Emperor
md the Ambassador as holding GER
tain degree of hopefulness.
Brief consideration was given the
submarine issue at yesterdays Cab
met meeting-thc first held in a week
but Secretary Lansing was able to
give only the most meagre informa-
tion on the subject. In view Of the
activity of German Government Of
ficials and their apparent intention to
reach decision as quickly as pos
sibfesfhe President is disposed not to
instruct Ambassador Gerard to press
for a reply to the American demand
at once.
The question will not be allowed to
drag along many more days how
ever, it was said.
The attack by a submarine on the
British merchantmen Industry, and
the placing of the crew in open boats
12O miles from shore, created an un-
favorable impression on officials, al
though there were no Americans on
board and therefore the United States
is not directly concerned. Germany
has admitted that. it is only proper
to place passengers and crews OF at
tucked vessels in open boats when
tbev nre near shore and the weather
is good.
Optimism regarding the ultimate
outcome of the situation was apparent
in German circles following the re-
ceipt by the German Embassy of dis
patches from Berlin, described as in
dteating that Germany would attempt
tossmeet the American demands.
Because of the visit of Mr.. Gerard
to- the Emperor, officials seemed in
clined to believe that it would be inn
possible for Germany to make reply
to the American note before early
next week.
Berlin, April 29-With James W.
Gerard. the American Ambassador
on his way to the German Army
headquarters and the leading German
statesmen already there the day pass
cd quietly in Berlin, where no new
developments occurred, with regarc
to the American note to German!
concerning Germany's method OF sub
marine warfare.
The newspapers refrained from any
comment on the latest development:
in the situation, merely mentioning
Ambassador Gerard's departure. Th'
general situation was not referred
to by the newspapers, except tn
Tages Zeftung,. which printed its
usual article, saying emphasis on tn
statement that the underwater boa
is necessity in Germany's wartar
against Great Britain.
A Berlin dispatch to the Cologn
Gazette again calls attention to VIVA
it terms the hopes of Germany's en-
emies to bring. about a breach IN Gei
man-American srelationa. This DIS
patch says the press of the Entent
powers is seeking untiringly to ham
mer the conviction into the whol
world that the conditions as lai
down by the American Governrner
will not be acceptable to German
and that an effort is being made ,
tiscredit the German answer in a,
vance, no matter what it may. be.
aThe purpose Of these efforts" 81.