Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1917-03-29
J. s SEEKS STAND
Of ALL NEUTRALS
on ARMED SHIPS
American ENJOYS Ordered to Ask
Attitude of Nations.
NEW BERLIN PEACE OFFER
Chancellor Ven Bethmann- Holiweg
Expected to Make Announcement
in 3tag-May Be Move
to Divide Congress.

to Divide Congress.
Washington. March 29-'In the
event Of hoStiiiticS between the United
States and Germany, what will be the
attitude Of the government 10 which
you are accredited respecting the ad-
mission Of armed merchantmen to its
portsE"
This question was cabIed by Secre-
tary Lansing To the diplomatic repre-
sentatives Of The United States in all
neutral capitals
1t is question Of most serious i'm
portance 10 those neutrulS which Dor
der upon the German empire or lie in
close proximity to it. 1t can arise
only when war actually is in progress,
for no neutral would or could forbid
admission to armed ships of another
neutral. which is the present status of
the United States.
Face Wrath of Germany.
If the Scandinavian countries and
Holland announce that American
armed ships Will be received and al
lowed to clear in time of war, they
will bring down upon themselves the
armed might of Germany.
If they deny the privilege Of admis-
sion to the vessels, they Will curtaiI
the fmportatior Of foodStu1s, and
thereby bring themselves nearer to
starvation.
Argentina has Indirectly answered
the American inquiry by imposing an
embargo on all foodstufS.
Her action in this respect has given
rise to great deal Of comment The
allied diplomats, particularly. are
voicing the suspicion that German in
fiuences We're responsible for the dec
laratton OF the government at Buenos
Aires
Much Money Transferred.
1t is known for example. that just
before The break of relations between
the United States and Germany a
tremendous amount Of money was
transferred from his country 10 Ar
gentna So O0O.OO0 alone being with
draun from one New York bank.
The allies viii protest strongly
against Argyntinus action on the
ground that il is in the interest Of
Germany, and they viii follow up
this protest hy refusing to permit
their ships to touch ut Argentine
points.
Moment is s Significant.
The state deIurttasmt confirmed at
the inquiry regarding the status of
armed merchantmen had been made
TO all nrutruiS.
Probably it was moved to do 50, FIRST
in onder to dispose OF reports that
the president is still cropping in the
dark respecting the policy he pro
poses to pursue. and, secondly, he
cause of the expectation that tomor
row Chancellor Won Bethmann-Holl-
veg will deliver a striking speech, III
which he WIFI make new proposals
for peace.
1t has been explained that it is he
lieved if the chancellor carries out the
program attributed 70 him. he will adj
dress himself particularly to dividing
counsel in the American congress and
thus embarrassing President Wilson
in securing the adoption of his recon-
mendutions, and also to the situation
in Russia. with Il view of inducing the
new Rassian government, or people
10 consider the establishment of peace
without delay.
1t may be the American armed Nor
chantmen which have arrived in Eng
land were permitted to pass through
the German war zone upon the Sug
geStfon Of Won BernStOrtf in order tina
members of congress might not b,
stirred up to the fighting point jus
before they assembled in eXtraordinar,
session.
Admittedly the Russian situation i
bad The authorities had hoped tn
new government would be able to con
troll all sections of the population ant
that the result would be Stronge
offensive by the Russian armies. Bu
the reports received Indicate that nj
is not going well in the land Of tn
bear and that the new government ha
not the stability which has beel
hoped for
IumorS that Germany has propose
separate peace to the new govern
ment ut Peuograd have no contirma
ton here. No surprise, however, wi
he expressed should it develop tina
the rlmors are true.
More Troops Called Out.
Washington, March 29.-Four NOR
National Guard regiments were OF
dered modified by the war department
FOR police duty in guarding publ
works They were: New York, SeN
pnty-fourth regiment; Connection
Second regfni57i,S: West Virginia. Firs
regiment; New Jersey, Second reg
ment.
HaIfc Ap+iNysr Rallies