Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-04-23
Ambassador Gerard Says Ber-
lin Officials Were Surprised
at Firmness and FinaHty of
American Note,
FURTHER DISCUSSION
NOT TO BE TOLERATED
Sharp Inquiry Also Addressed
to oAuStria Regarding Wound
ing Of United States Citizen
by She'll

nf hCaNlNC lOusNhA bNSGhl ttfsso Ntrtl
Washington, April 22.-The United
States government has made tenta-
tiva plans to cope with every con-
ceivable situation which would result
froia the severance of diplomatic re-
lations with Germany For reasons
they indicated were obvious, officials
tonight deemed it unwise to discuss
the details.
I! There is reason for believing how
ever, that some of the plans have to
do with the safety of American citi-
| zens in the German empire. and the
others have to do with American su-
pervision of German interests In the
countries at war with Germany.
| Dispatches Confidential
! Numerous dispatches on these sub
iects are understood to have been sent
to diplomatic representatives abroad,
/ particularly to Ambassador Gerard at
Berlin. The dispatches are regarded
as being highly confidential and for
| that reason Information concerning
them is unavailable here.
Among dispatches received from
| Ambassador Gerard within the past
two days, was one describing the
manner in which the American note
declaring the purpose Of the United
States to break relations unless Ger
many modified her submarine meth
ods was received by German officials
While this, too, was held as confiden-
! tial, 1t is said the ambassador re-
ported Berlin officials as being great
! ly surprised at the demands OF the
! washington government. Mr.. Gerard
| Is said to have gathered at least an
| impression that the foreign office had
no idea that the communication would
| be as drastic and final as 1t was
Hope for Peace Wanes.
The general feeling here tonight APP
parently was not all optimistic re-
garding the outcome. In the absence
of further Informative advices from
Ambassador Gerard, the days press
dispatches were read closely.
Indications in them that there
might be delays or requests for addi-
tional information were regarded by
officials as significant. 1t is well un-
derstood, however, that the United
States under no consideration will
permit delay and discussion unless it
is preceded by a declaration from
submarine warfare as to bring 1t
within the scope of international law.
Early Forecast Expected.
Dispatches of an important nature
hourly are expected from Ambassador
Gerard. 1t is expected that before
Monday, or certainly soon thereafter.
the ambassador will be in a position
to forecast with some degree of ac-
curacy what will be the view OF the
German government.
In the meantime. the situation in
Washington remains one of tense ex-
pectancy. Officials are confident that
before this time next week, the issue
will have been settled that the Unit
ed States will feel certain the safety
of innocent non -combatants on the
high seas is assured, or steps of a Dip
lomatic break will have been taken.
Center Of Diplomatic Interest.
Among the foreign diplomats here,
the question of a break between the
United States and Germany is a topic
of wide interest. The consensus of
opinion seems to be that diplomatic
relations between the United States
and the allies of Germany need not
necessarily be affected. In regard to
Austria. however. much is considered
to depend upon the answer made by
the Vienna government to the Ameri-
can inquiry regarding the attack
upon the Russian bark lmperator,
carrying two American citizens. one
of whom was injured hy ehrapnel fire. !
Ambassador Penfield was directed TO |
make the inquiry early this week. No !
reply had been received today, and he |
may soon be instructed to renew the |
inquiry.
II is considered quite probable that |
Austria will be called TO account |
should II develop that her submarines |
have not been acting with proper re- |
gard for the rights of non-combat- |
ants, the United States being deter
mined that Illegal submarine warfare,
wherever and by whoever conducted,
must cease.
An appointment was arranged to-
day for Senator Stone, chairman Of
the senate foreign relations commit
tee, to see President Wilson Monday
night TO discuss some features of the
foreign situation, but late today the
senator sent word to the White
House that he had an engagement
with the Chinese minister that night.
and asked that the conference be ar
ranged for another date. and he prob
ably will see the president later in
the week.