The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1917-03-16
GERMANY IS SEEKING
FOR PEACE NO MORE
GIVES UP IDEA OF WARS
EARLY END.
Shortage of Food Serious But
Situation Has Not Yet Be-
come Critical.

every evidence that Germany fully in
tended carrying out her ruthless sub
marine campaign regardless of the
prospect of war with the United
States and that talk of peace had
been abandoned. The former ambas-
sador did not see President Wilson
because the president is still confin-
ed to his room, but he conferred at
length with Secretary Lansing and
Counselor Polk and went over with
them in detail events leading to tho
break in diplomatic relations between
Germany and the United States.
Mr.. Gerard reported that German
officials apparently considered the eff
fects and consequences of submarine
ruthlessness before proclaiming it
and so far as he could learn were
confident of its success. When he left
Berlin, however, the campaign was
only In it's second week and the Ger
mans were still predicting the de-
struction OF a million tons of ship
ping a month, the amount admitted
by Teutonic experts to be essential
for an effective starvation blockade
OF England. Since then the average
destruction has been below half that.
Food Situation Serious.
Food conditions in Germany when
Mr.. Gerard's party left were report
ed as serious but not necessarily
critical. This question is looked up
on by the American government as
very important because of it's bearing
on the possibility of further peace
moves by Germany in the near fu
ture.
The former ambassador arrived
here from Key West, Fla. shortly
after noon and was met at the sta
tion by group OF officials, including
Counselor Polk and Assistant Soc.s-
tary Phillips of the state depalt-
ment, Secretary McAdoo. Secretary
Tumulty and Senator Hughes Of New
Jersey. A formal statement was civ
en- out by Mr.. Garard saying he
would make his report to the govern.
ment and would not talk for Dubli-
cation. During the remainder of the
day and night he held to this deter.
mination. He remained over here
tonight and will go to New York late
tomorrow in time for formal recep-
tion to be rendered him there Fri
day.
The report made by the former am
bassador to the state department was
understood to deal particularly with
the treatment accorded him and 9th
er Americans following the break in
diplomatic relations, the efforts of the
German government to get him to
reaffirm the old treaty of 1928 with
extensive changes, the general atti-
tude OF the German government and
public towards submarine warfare,
peace and relations with the United
States and conditions in Germany.
Activity at Department.
The department presented scene
I OF unusual activity with the many re-
, turned diplomats who accompanied
Mr.. Gerard reporting TO their supe-
riors. Some of them, will be kept at
} the state department and others will
. be given new posts. y q,
While officials are. extremely any
. ious to learn the personal opinions
OF men fresh from Germany. there
is not the slightest disposition to feel
that the international situation can
be affected in any way at this time.
Germany is believed to have shown
herself in the series OF sinkings such
as the Laconia, the California and
others. including the American
steamship Algonquin, sunk today
without warning, to be utterly un-
mindful OF this country's rights or
its possible participation in the war.
Regarding food conditions. one oi
the best observers. who has reported
to the state department in months
said that 20.000,0O0 people directly
connected with the army or govern
ment, another 20.000,0O0 people in
the rural portion and about 5000,
900 wealthy people are well fed. but
that the balance. about 20,000,00(
are in serious plight. Ga ls /.
The arrival Of Mr.. Gerard revived
reports that he would be a candidate
for mayor of New York next fall OF
that he would be sent to Tokyo 20
succeed the late Ambassador Guth'