The Washington herald., 1917-03-30
''CHECK U-BOATS
OR WE'LL FIGHT"
u, S.
Only Cessation of Unrestrict-
ed Sub" Warfare Can
Avert Clash.

Only the cessation OF Germanys ruth
less campaign OF death and destruction
against American shipping can alter the
course which President Wilson and his
advisers have laid down for the United
States.
This was the determination OF the sd-
ministration last night following the re-
ceipt in Washington OF Chancellor Won
Bcthmann-Hollweg's discussion OF the
Serman-American crisis before the Ger
man Reichstag. The German chancellor,
while he declared that Germany has
never desired and does not now desire
war with the United States, made no
announcement as to any change in Ger
many's campaign OF devastation at sea
His statement that IL the United States
considers the submarine campaign
cause for declaration OF war. Germany
VIII not have TO bear the burden a re-
sponSibility for IT," and that the Ger
man nation shall also bear and over
come this" was accepted in Washington
as Noicing Germany's determination to
maintain the war against American ship
ping. In the face OF the obvious prepara-
lions OF the United States for impending
war.
OmciaIdOm silent.
Neither the White House nor the Stale
Department would discuss the unofficial
reports OF the ChsnceIIor's speech. Sec
retary Lansing said that he would await
the formal official statement before COM
mentlng. Before the reports were re-
ceived, however, the State DEPARTMENT
chlef made ii clear that nothing but a
complete change Of the German subrua-
rine campaign could alter or amend i,
any way the policy which the President
mas determined to follow. He said that
no suggestion o. negotiations for peace,
Is TO-
cohsloered until unrestricted subr7arir,
warfare Is stopped. Diplomatic Wash
lngton looked upon the Bethmann-H -HolI-
veg speech as Germany's last word bo-
lore Congress meets next week to make
GEAR and unfnistakable the position OF
the people Of the United States
me Chancellor's speech reached waFB.
ihgton ~ the climax OF a series OF re-
ports ana rumoTs OF possible pesc &c
negotiations. Various reports that Ger
many had made tentative offers to mod
n.y. IN some form. her submarine cam,
palSn. or had offered counter-rropoSars
ior peace for the consideration Of the
american government came from, soy
eFal sources. These were given soma
'renence In diplomatic circles in view OF
continued authentic advices that Austria
mas steadfastly opposed action bv the
ieutonlc allies which would force wa-
with the United States
The Bethmann-H Hollweg utteranoe bor
ever put an end to the peace tain al
'housh administration officials We,
PLAINLY anxious TO ascertain hon f,-
austria was prepared to back m bsr all
IN me face OF the latest preparations in
the United States. ''0'iS i'i
Hope to Avert Break.
There was still some bope Z, o-c,.,
circles that the long-deIayed bresL vi,b
AuStria might be averted. AmhasssSo-
t"tneId at Vienna has eNerted ever, H.
Huehce 10 keep the relations between tb.
TWO countries intact, and there has No.,
a growing feeling in Washington ,h,t
Ser1nany's continued determination 20
press the suhma rIne CamnaIcn baI -,
with objection from Austrfa. The an
parently final decision voiced by Chan
Cenor Bethmann- HollWcE, however mada
me hkehhood OF a continuance ui r,Ia-
lions with Austria dubious
Meantime, preparations for war went
on apace The President spent a large
part or his day in his study presumably
at work on the preliminary draft Of the
epoch-makinC address v hicb he will de-
liver TO Congress next week The chiefs
Of the war-makinE deHartm"nts. through
the Council OF National Defense, formed
, closer organization for co-operattnr In
preparedness along all lines Arrange
ments were made for preparing q pro-
gram OF imperH tive preparedness leris-
iation TO be submitted TO Congress b 9Th
the War Department and the Navy De-
partment rushed work on their indIvid-
raj preparedness plans. and Il was stated
that by the time Congress is ready to
make known the fateful decision. the
country will be ready TO move at once.