Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-23
j. S. PLANS SAFETY
. OF CITIZENS ABROAD
Government Proposes to Meet
Any Situation Arising From
Break With Germany.
ENVOY REPORTS BERLIN
SURPRISED AT DEMANDS
One Problem Relates to American
Supervision of German Inter
ests in Countries at War.

eSLS III OUuutIlcS dt " oA'
BERLIN. April p. via London.
April %. 2:45 a.m.-James w.
Gerard, American ambassador.
called on Foreign Minister vor
Jagow this evening and was
closeted with him for almost an
hour. Their discussion was OF an
informative nature. Imperial
Chancellor Won Bethmann-Holl-
veg will return to Berlin today
Sunday. but a reply to the
American note need not be eN-
pected for several days. and pos
sibly not before Wednesday.
The United States government has
made tentative plans to cope with
every conceivable situation which
would result from the severance of
diplomatic relations with Germany
For reasons they indicated were OBJ
vious, officials last night deemed it
unwise to discuss the details.
There is reason for believing, how
ever. that some of the plans have to
do with the safety of American citi-
1ens in the German empire. and that
others have to do with American su-
peryision of German interests in the
countries at war with Germany.
Numerous dispatches on these sub
I5ects are understood to have been sent
to diplomatic representatives, ABROAD,
particularly to Ambassador Gerard at
Berlin. The dispatches are regarded
as being highly confidential. ana ior
that reason information concerning
them is unavailable here.
Drastic Tone Unexpected.
Among dispatches received from
Ambassador Gerard within the past
two days was one describing the man
ner in which the American note. de-
cIaring the purpose of the United
states to break relations unless Ger
many modified her submarine methods,
was received by German officials
While this, too, was held as conn conn .
dor repr esented Berlin officials as be
ing greatly surprised at the demanos
of the Washington government Mr.
Gerard is said to have gathered az
least an impression that the foreign
office had no idea that the comm9nl,
cation would be as drastic and hnal
as 1t was
apparently was not at all optimistic
regarding the outcome. In the absence
of further informative adv1ces from
Ambassador Gerard. the days press
dispatches were read closely lndica-
tions in them that there might pc oe-
laws or requests for additional infor-
nation were regarded by officlals as
significant. IT is ,.n;ted Wed staaes utesH nnder
no consideration will permit delay anu
discussion unless 1t is preceded oy a
declaration from Germany that Sne mas
90 modified her submarine warfare as
TO bring ii within the scope OF inter-
national law.
DISPATCHES Expected.
DISPATCHES of an important nature
hourly are expected from Ambassador
Gerard II is expected that before to-
morrow. or certainly soon thereafter
tho amba ssador will be in position
10 forecast, with some degree OF ac-
curacv what will be the view of the
German government. :.
In the meantime the SITUATION III
Washington remains one OF tense
nectancy Officials are cornoent ,hdt
some time this week the issue Will nave
;..n set,led: that the United States
will feel certain the safety or fhno-
.ent non-combatants on the high seas
is assured. or steps TOT oipioi"a'''
hreak will have been taken
Among the foreign diplomats mere the
effect Of a break between the 1mted
states and Germany is topic VI "iue
interest. The consensus OF 1p,,,ob .p he.waan
the United States and the allies OF Ger
many need not necessarily be aHected
In regard to Austria, however, much rs
n,sJe nv the Vienna government to the
American inquiry regarding the attack
upon the Russian bark Imperator carry
ing two American ciuzehs, one VI ""o'i
was injured by shrapnel hre.
May Renew Inquiry.
Ambassador Penfield was directed te
make the inquiry early last week. Nc
rep,y had been received last night. anc
l.. ,,,,x soon be instructed to renew the
inquiry.
/, is considered quite probable tina,
Austria will be called to account shoult
!, develop that her submarines, too. nave
not been acting with proper resaro 10.
the rights Of non-combatants, the Cnlteo
states being determined that illegal sub
marine warfare wherever and by who
ever conducted, must cease
An appointment was arranged yester
day for Senator Stone. chairman Of the
Senate foreign relations committee, te
see President Wilson tomorrow night t.
discuss some features OF the foreign sit
uation. but late yesterday the senator
sent word to the White House that III
had an engagement with the Chinese min
lister that night. He asked that the con
ference be arranged for another date, ant
he probably will see the President latel
in the week.
Delay in German Reply
Evnoctod. Note 1nes tn