Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-02-12
Berlin Asks Farley, but Washington Says Move Is In
sincere; Rejection Predicted Unless U-Boats Are
Stopped During Negotiations
LITTLE HOPE IN GERMANY THAT
WAR WITH u. S. is AVOIDABLE
Emperor William Calls Conference Presumably to Discuss
Submarine Campaign a nd Position of Neutrds; May
Try to Divide Public Opinion Here

WASHINGTON, ID. c., Feb. 12.-The-
German proposal delivered to the state
Department Saturday that means ne
discussed for preventing the break In
relations from resulting in war appar,
entity has struck no responsive coru
here. No official would indicate
whether a reply already had peen
given, but there was no disposition "
deny that the proposal has peen Illaue
or to deny that the American govern
ment regarded it as an effort on the
part of Germany to befog the issue.
Sharp Refusal Forecast
Sharp refusal to consider hints Tor
discussion of the submarine sltuatoh
with Germany unless it be preceded py
abandonment of the campaign OF ruin
lessness and restoration of the sussex
pledges was forecast here to-day.
Official opinion has soiidified that
Germany's suggestions of negotiations
cannot be considered while ships are
being sunk in a campaign which mas
brought forth the moral condemhalloh
of most of the neutral world.
officials admitting to-day Tor the
first time the receipt of such an olLer
through the Swiss minister regard the
suggestion as an attempt to peclouu
the issue and weaken the govern
ment's position. They gave indications
that it must be met by prompt action.
They regard it as somewhat strange
that Germany should now show Will
ingness to negotiate on a SUBJECT sne
put into effect without discussion WIN
this country or any attempt to give
the American viewpoitn consideration.
1t was made clear everywhere IN
government circles that there was
nothing to discuss unless Germany de-
sired to stop abridging American rlghts
and illegally menacing American life.
In connection with the German Sug-
ain1 ifNfn
cable dispatches announcing that EN-
peror William had called conference,
presumably to discuss the submarine
campaign and the position of the neu-
trails. 1t was suggested that out or the
conference might come something
more tangible than the mere oral
suggestion that Germany would like TO
discuss means of preventing the addl-
ton of another nation to her long list
of enemies.
What has been done so far is con-
strued only as an attempt to place
upon the United States the appearance
of belligerency. The chief purpose, 1t
is believed, is to bewilder public opinion
here and divide the country, and the
move is about as unwelcome here as II
Mr.. Gerard in Berlin had gone behind
the German government, through the
Spanish ambassador who represents
the United States there, in an appeal
to the German people on wholly in
complete issue.
Whether any sort of answer will be
made beyond a mere acknowledgment
to the Swiss minister, who presented
the suggestion yesterday. is uncertain,
as that matter rests entirely with
President Wilson. Opinions differ,
some believing it wiser to ignore the
suggestion entirely.
1t is possible that q summary of the
present submarine campaign, with a
list of the sinkings without warning
and the loss of lives, may be submitted
as further showing why the United
States and other neutrals believe Ger
many's course outside the bounds of
law.