Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-05-02
PRESIDENT WILSON PLANS FIRM
STAND ON SUBMARINE CON.
TRovERsY WITH GERMANY.
READY TO BREAK IF
POLICY IS NOT CHANGED
President Does Not Propose to Consult
Congress on Action Made Necessary
by Germany's Rsply-Does Not Be.
Iieve War Would Follow Severanes
of Diplomatic Relations.
IArthur Sears Henning in Chicago
Trfbune.l

! Washington, May 1.-The Tribune is
privileged to present herewith Presi-
4 dent Wilson's contemplated course in
the submarine controversy with Ger
many and mis- views of the policy he
/ has pursued in dealing with the sew
! eral belligerents.
| The president has learned with graf
ification Of the personally expressed de-
sire of Emperor William to maintain
friendly relations with the United
States and Of the kaiser's hope that Mr..
Wilson. at no distant date, will be In
vited to invoke mediation between the
allies and the central powers. He will
dispatch personal reply OF apprecia-
ton to the German emperor.
Must Await Formal Reply.
Whether. however, the German gov
eminent Is complying satisfactorily
with his ultimatum to reform subma-
rine warfare on commerce or suffer
rupture of diplomatic relations with the
United States. the president can not
determine until he receives the formal
reply Of the German foreign minister,
DR.. Won Jagow. to the Sussex note. A
yond next Sunday, the anniversary of
the sinking of the Lusitania, the presi-
dent viii not be able to understand
without satisfactory explanation.
The conciliatory attitude Of the
kaiser and OF German offfcialdom gen.
orally. together with the apparent sus-
pension Of the methods OF submarine
warfare Of which he disapproves. en-
IA IN q
vorable reply to his demands.
Halt During Discussion.
In this connection, 1t may be stated
that German officials here believe their
government will agree to the applica-
ton to submarine warfare OF the rules
Of cruiser warfare on commerce pend
ing discussion of the technical ques-
tons. such as the status and treatment
Of armed merchantmen.
Altho such, a discussion might be
prolonged Indefinitely, possibly till the
emo OF the war, the president would re-
gard the arrangement satisfactory so
long as submarine operations were car
ried out In compliance with cruiser
warfare rules. "a -
If, however, the German government
does not effect an adoption Of the rules
he. has enunciated or resumes at any
time the methods of submarine war
fare he has prescribed, the president
will not hesitate to carry out his threat
TO sever diplomatic relation with Ber-
LIN by Diminishing Count Won Bernstorh
and recalling Ambassador Gerard.
Will Not Consult Congress. u
II the severance OF diplomatic rela-
tons. in the opinion of the president.
becomes necessary. Mr.. Wilson, unless
he changes his mind. will act without
consulting congress. altho he intends
to explain his purpose in advance to
the ranking members Of tho foreign
affairs committees Of both houses, re-
publicans as well as democrats He
deems 1t his constitutional prerogative
and duty to direct all foreign policies
in time OF peace without reference to
the legislative branch Of the govern
ment 4
Z The president does not belieye that
severance of diplomatic relations
with Berlin necessarily means war. II
the break comes the president will act
ON the theory that the United States
can not associate longer with power
which does not observe the dictates
OF humanity and respsct the rights Of
American citizens on the high seas.
There would ensue a perioi Of non.n-
tercourse with Germany, but nothing
more serious necessarily. according to
the president. "a
F y Need Not Send Army.
War with Germany would not follow
severance of diplomatic relations, in
the opinion Of the president. unless
Berlin should declare war on the Unit
ed States. or congress. as result Of
the acts OF the Berlin government.
should declare war on Germany.
Even then the president does not be-
lieve that itswouId be necessary for
the United States to send an army
abroad. He would use the credit Of
the United States to aid the allies, and
possibly would dispatch contain units
Of the navy to foreign waters to co.
operate with the British and French