Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-02-13
SEES NO REVIVAL
/. OF SUSSEX PLEDGE
Teuton Diplomat Asserts
Ruthless U-Boat Policy
Will Not Be Modified
BARTHELME TOLD TO GO
Cologne Gazette Correspondent
Given Safe-Conduct and
Invited to Depart
WASHINGTON. Feb. IA

lhNiISu w DVpoib
WASHINGTON, Feb 10.
Germany never will renew her assur-
ances against unrestricted submarine war
fare"
United States of Count Won Bernstorff and
his stan the above utterance was made by
one Of the leading retiring officials. The
new submarine campaign was entered into,
he said, after a complete toll of the cost
had been taken. IL was designed to
starve England and to cripple the Entente
In the field by cutting on the supply OF
munitions, this official said. and the only
possible concession would he TO raise the
ban so far as neutral ships carrying non
contraband were concerned
Incidentally. officials here fully realize
this. They have had tho assurance Of James
w. Gerard, the retiring American Ambas-
sador to Germany, to this effect. In conse-
quence. the Administration has made every
effort to check suggestions which con-
stantly are being made that Germany's
move was not directed against the United
States. In furtherance of that desire the
State Department has taken sharp meas
ures to prevent spread Of suggestions that
would make trouble In this country.
BARTHELME TOLD TO DEPART
The first step in this line is to be the
departure along with Count Won Bernstorff
and his party OF DIR. George Bartheme
correspondent in Washington Of the Co
logne Gazette. The latter, following
conference with Counselor of the state
Department Frank Polk, agreed to return
home, and "safe-conduct" was arranged
Cor him to accompany Bernstorff to Ger
many.
The doctor was responsible for the latest
suggestion from Germany that she was
willing to negotiate formally or informally
with the United States provided that the
commercial blockade against England Is not
broken" There is bitter resentment in Ad-
ministraton circles over this offer by Ger
many. where II Is characterized as IAN In
suit" in view of the Presidents address to
Congress announcing the breaking off OF
relations
W. ]. BRYAN'S PART
Just what William j. Bryan. former Sec
retary OF State in the Wilson Cabinet had
70 do with the Barthelme message makes
interesting reading, The eX-Secretary, with
Dr.. George w. Krchway. Mr. Ritter. of the
New York Stats Zeitung, and Mr.. Bar
Incline, American correspondent OF the Co
togne Gazette, had been in consultation here
with the view of offsetting war sentiment.
Mr.. Barthelme obtained from Mr. Bryan
. statement of his peace principles in the
form of an interview. These he endeavored
TO send to Europe as coming from Mr..
Bryan direct The latter is well-known in
Germany, both officially and personally,
therefore an expression from the former
Secretary, who is known to have worked
for the reelection OF Mr. Wilson and to be
on good terms with him. would have weight
Through Barthelme's influence. and this
being the only means of communication
with Germany, Secretary Daniels permitted
Mr.. Barthelme TO send his dispatches over
the wireless controlled by the Navy Depart
ment But they are censored. In this case
ha tcl
containing an interview with Mr. Bryan
and saw that Mr.. Barthelme was trying to
SOW abroad sentiments which the Govern
ment did not indorse he eliminated all mem
tion OF Mr.. Bryan from the dispatch and
otherwise emasculated the message so that
no one knew that the inspiration was drawn
from Mr. Bryan. But the basis OF the peace
sentiments left as an expression of
leading men OF America. The censor no
doubt, feared that expressions from the
former Secretary might be confused with
official utterances of the Administration,
and that they might be regarded as a
"feeler."
Despite this the peace promoters are con-
graduating themselves that their work
brought about the message from Germany
of last Saturday, when President Wilson
was invited to resume note writing instead
of taking a decisive stand about Germany's
submarine warfare. No more peace mes
sages over the wireless are allowed by the
news is the rule.
TEXT OF DISPATCH
Following is the text of Mr. Barthelme's
dispatch to the Cologne Gazette:
From high sources whose identity
cannot be disclosed am urged almost
implored. to convey to German people
and IL possible to Government the idea
that the president WilsonD message
should not be construed as indicating
or the people for war with Germany.
Attention is called to the following
passage: II refuse to believe II the in
tention of German authorities to do in
fact what they warned us they will feel
At liberty to do" and so forth "only
actual overt acts can make me believe
II even now"
Further attention is called to the fol-
lowing sentence: "If this inveterate
confidence should unhapplly prove un-
founded shall take the liberty Of COM
ing again before Congress to ask au-
thority TO use any means necessary for
the protection Of our seamen and peo-
pie"
The passages widely construed: First.
as expression of confidence some way
out might be found. Second, not con-
tanning any threat OF war Widely
shared opinion Is President could do
nothing else but sever relations to make
good former note now up to Germany
TO provide an opening. First thing
necessary, avoid everything which
makes maintenance of friendly relations
impossible.
Particularly refrain from destruction
Of American ships not carrying contra
band, thus inducing a delay of perhaps
one month to make permissible limit of
submarine activities object of negotia-
tions; such. delay offered as special
token Of ancient friendship of the two
countries. Then consider the possibil-
tiles provided in the resolution for call
ing conference of Powers These pos-
sibilites closed by hasty action.
Some explanation about sailing of
only four especially marked American
ships would remove very bitter impress
sion created by this wholly ncompre-
hensible proviso. hurting the national
pride as nothing else. My informants
assure in most emphatic manner coun-