Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1916-04-26
German Chancellor to
|, Hurry to Kaiser After
Conference
TO GATHER THE FACTS
Reply to Representations Of the Unit
ed States to be Determined at
Headquarters

Berlin, April 26-The American
Ambassador, James W. Gerard, had
another conference with DIR. Won
Bethmann-Hollweg yesterday even
ing, prior to the Imperial Chancel-
Z lor's departure for great head quar-
ters.
At the Foreign Office the CORES
pondents were informed that the
Chancellor was devoting the holidays
to conferences on the submarine Is
sue with the departments concerned.
These have not yet been concluded.
The main purpose of the Imperial
Chancellor's flying trip to Berlin-a
journey which involves 20 hours ira
vel in each direction-has been and
is evident from his protracted con-
ference with Ambassador Gerard on
Monday the desire to obtain as clear
an idea rs possible of the attitude
and policy of the American Govern
mcnt; what, if anything, lies behind
and beyond the American note and
what measures are necessary to salts
fy the American demand before the
momentous decision is taken by the
Emperor and his advisers at head
quarters.
The crisis has come to a head in
the midst of the Easter holidays.
, q season playing highly important
role in German life, when public
men are widely scattered from Berlin
and their views, which the Emperor
would naturally wish to ascertain be.
fore reaching decision, cannot
quickly assemble. Thus the formula
tion of reply to the American note,
which presumably would spell peace
or war, cannot be rushed.
So far US Germany is concerned
there is still possibility Of set
tlcment and hope has not been aban-
doned here. But the Germans wish
to know before giving their answer
what sort of answer: would satisfy
the United States, whether assurance
of properly conducted submarine
campaign would be adequate and
whether concessions now would be
the prelude to further demands later.
It can be stated positively that DR..
Bethmann-H -Hollweg and his advisers
realize fully the disadvantages of a
break with the United States and that
they do not desire it if it can be
avoided. But they feel if breach
must come ultimately it would be use
less to indulge in concessions and
compromise now and that they might
as well have the. matter settled.
Ambassador Gerard conferred on
Monday with the. Imperial Chancellor
alone, none; of the Chsncellor's ad-
visers participating in the interview.
He was able to give the Chancellor
little positive or authoritative in
formation on the limits of the Am
erican policy, beyond. the notes them
selves, but the Washington policy, so
far as it was indicated in the various
notes to Germany it is understood,
was discussed lengthily and possible
solutions to the questions which have
given rise to the crisis were consi-
dered in this long and confidential in
terview concerning which the Ambas-
sador naturally declined to talk to
the correspondents.
Mr.. Gerard Immediately cabled o
long account of the conversation to
Secretary Lansing, and the feeling
here is that, if it were possible to
obtain an answer from Washington
before the German council is con.
cluded and a decision adopted, 1t
might aid materially in the solution
There is little expectation of that
however.
There has been distinctly better
atmosphere in Berlin of late. On the