New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-14
Ambassador Is Accused Of
Meddling in Submarine
Warfare Controversy.
HE DENIES THE
TRUTH OF CHARGES
U-Boat Situation Quieter-
Envoy May Come Home
for Vacation.

Berlin, Sept. l3.-The American AM
bassador. James ". Gerard. is again
under fire in section OF the German
press. this time for a remark attributed
20 him regarding a speech made re-
Gently By DR.. Gustav Stresemann, Ma
tional Liberal member Of the Reichstag,
advocating, among other things, re-
sumption of the submarine warfare.
Ambassador Gerard is quoted as say
ing he did not understand how the rep
resentatives OF districts for which ex-
port to America was a vital question
could advocate ruthless submarine war
fare. The National Liberal Press
Agency, in a Communication 10 the
newspapers, takes the ambassador to
task for what is termed "unwarranted
Intervention in a purely German ques-
ton and says the ambassadors re-
mark is characterized by that naive
presumptuousness which believes that
the decision affecting Germany's po-
litical future will be dictated by Ger
many's American export interests
The communication declares Ambas-
sador Gerard would do better 70 leave
to the responsible German authorities
the decision on what use is TO be made
Of the means at their command against
England. and adds:
The art and manner in which AM
bassador Gerard and not for the first
time looks after British interests IS
extremely characteristic Of his general
attitude
The American Ambassador in reply
saws he never heard OF DR.. Strese-
mann's speech, and certainly never
made any public utterance OF the
nature attributed TO him. But so far
a. his attitude on the submarine issue
is concerned, he declares it is based on
pro-American, not pro-British. motives.
The weeks since the appointment Of
Field Marshal Won Hindenburg as chief
Of the General staff have been marked
by almost complete cessation OF the
discussion in regard 20 resumption of
submarine warfare on the old or a
more vigorous basis. Nonpartlsan
newspaper observers who are IN touch
with leading statesmen and politicians
express the opinion that for the present
there will be no change in submarine
policy.
The administration Of Chancellor
vor Bethmann-H0llWsg now feels itself
fully in control Of the situation. The
controversy over he methods en-
ployed in connection with the food die
tatorship has supplanted the subma-
rine issue in the Conservative and
other newspapers opposed to the Chan
celor.
These newspapers are arguing with
Adolph Won Batocki. head OF the Food
Regulation Board. about compulsory
production as opposed 70 an increase
O. abolition OF maximum prices as the
rethod Of charging the production OF
.oodsturs. Herr Won Bstockl opposes
the theory that the food problem can
hest be solved by compulsory methods
that is, By prescribing what farmers
should plant. But ne has little SYM
Datny with the demand OF the agrarians
icr increase or removal Of maximum
prices. Accordingly, the present sys-
tenn will continue.
Should the submarine situation re-
main as at present and should ne be
assured that no revival Of the under
water campaign IS contemplated, AM
hassador Gerard may return to the
United States for vacation.
The ambassador hopes that before
this he will witness completion Of the
rrolonged. difficult and delicate nego..
tiat;ons he is conducting for relief of
.nterned civilians in Germany and Eng-
land. As result II MS efforts two
PROPOSALS are under consideration.
one calls for genera exchange. Of
civilians under parole not 20 serve dur
i10 the war. The alternative plan IS
the release Of all meh more than forty
five wears old ard Others unfit Tor mill
tarv service. These plans are now be-
fore the British government, and the
occeptance of either would mean the
success Of a difficult task Of humani-
tartan diplomacy.