The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-04-22

iniS ID Y summary OF tne Wow
universally regarded as one Of a. b
authorities in international matters
ovERSHADows
In his personal sympathies he ~
strongly pro-aliy. and he believes that
the international issue overshadows
everything else In this country's poiitics
at this time.
because he Ia one OF. the small group
who would have most to do with del
,@ermjning the attitudes Of political par-
ties ana the policy OF the nation towaroI
International relations. his views are OF
peculiar interest at this time.
.rhe question II constantly being
asked, what would be the result OF o
saspension OF diplomatic intercourse be-
tween the United states and Germany.
This gentleman Expressed the opinion
that II would practically put squsrely W
r re * the two HsoS governments should
He pointed out with emphasis. now
ever. that In the event OF interrupted
diplomatic discourse. there is necessity
for the utmost forebearance on botn
sides n war shall be avoided.
A severance OF diplomatic relations
does not necessarily mean war, and on
the other hand. the continuance OF such
relations IL no guarantee against war.
Thus. more than a century ago. TINS
country was for q considerable period
In a state of actual, physical war with
France, The incident IL now written
down In the history AZ q war with
France II was marked by frigste &C.
involved the two countries in military
operations II contact could have been
established on land.
Relations Sustained.
Yet throughout this time tho substance
Of diplomatic relations was sustained.
The war with Mexico was started &
long time before diplomatic relations
was served. In this connection there n
classic old story about Daniel web
ster, who was not In sympathy with
that war.
| Al a dinner party, whore Il may rea-
taken somewhat too literally of the
god old Madeira that was served. Web
/ ster was walking rather headily through
q poorly lighted room when he over.
heard the question asked In loud
voice not q, directed sc "a At him; NJ, M.,,cs
anyhow"
The question got to the websteriar
ear. and brought the statesman out oi
his trance.
He iunred bit. recovered himself IN
stantly. turned sharply In the direction
OF the inquiring voice. and beloved:
Nobody started IL: President Poll
which in that case was literally true
Il Our war with Spain was another In
stance OF much the same sort. tn
Spanish ambassador was In Washing
ton a considerable time after bostilide
had actually begun. ana nominal diplo
matte relations were not suspende,
while he remained here.
j May Force Severance.
The present situation az between tn
United States and Germany Is nnoma
ious. Gernany's answer to the Presi
dents last message may Immediately ne
cessitate discontinuance Of diplomat
relations.
There Ii. however. = general belle
now that the authorities In German
sincerely want to avoid war. In tbs
event their effort win be TO continu
discussion by making reply that wi
Invite further parleys; 49,,
| People who talked with President WI
son very shortly before he made his a.
dress to Congress left him with the col
| viction that at that time he intcnds
to force matters to a very early issu
and not to consent to further dipl
But whether the President now is
that same disposition Is very mu,
doubted. The Impression has distinct
gained ground that the whole subJe
:, will drift away into another current
will be deferred at least for conside
Experts In the technique Of diploma,
!. Interchange point out that the late
communication TO Germany is mu.
coded II. It is not an ultimatum. but
n does carry q threat. the threat OF 81
!. continuing diplomatic intercourse.
l. Distinction Important.
:, This distinction the diplomats insist
very important.
" In the Lusitania note OF May Is Ia
i our Government wrote that II cot
l. "omit no word or act" necessary to pi
% tect Americans and American interes
m That phraseology. az weighed by
ID users OF diplomatic Language. contain
~ none OF the essence OF ultimatum. 4
y assurance that America would omit
l. word or act" is Characterised as a n
But in the most recent commpnicati
our Government stated . distinct
tentative, which Il declared would
O. adopted n Germany did not accept
terms, namely. the severance OK dip
l. This statement Of an alternative Is
the nature OF very definite threat q
threats, even OF the innocuous sort, |
always sedulously avoided In good d
iomatic usage unless they are Intend
to mean all they say and COMMONLY
Pm little more.
A threat to sever diplomatic relate
will be construed by diplomats to
AZ ply a threat OF hostility. II hostilit
~. an "A "a