New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-03
Promise of Results by
Unrestricted Methods
Unfulhlled
Entry of U. S. Now
Taken Seriously
Government Starts Pub
licity Campaign to Bolster
Waning Confidence

Corsrhacen. June Private advices
from Germany tell Of growing dissatis-
faction among the people with the po-
Htieal results Of the ruthless subma-
rine campaign and the absence of any
indications that it has brought the de-
sired peace near TO hand. During their
long campaign for the unrestricted use
If submarines the advocates Of this
measure made very definite promises
Of immediate results.
Two or three months" was the
phrase used everywhere in street and
newspaper arguments in regard to the
time i, would take 10 bring England to
her knees, ready for peace. Even
though the official propaganda has since
declared the government bound itself
70 no particular time 10 produce re-
suits. the prediction that they would
be obtained in two or three months has
remained in the minds of the people.
Grumblrgs now are heard that al
though four months have passed Eng
land shows no signs OF weakening, but,
on the contrary, seems determined to
prosecute the war more bitterly than
ever.
Optimism Vanishes
Statements that France has been
"bled white" and will be forced to re-
the from the war have been made so
often that they no longer attract the
slightest credence The entry Of the
United States and Brazil into the war
and the rupture of relations between
Germany and the bulk OF the neutral
world outside Europe is now taken
seriously and regarded with gloom.
Questions have been recently asked
the correspondent by Germans here,
not in official positions. who are dis
gruntled over the results OF the sub
marine campaign up to the present
time. as % what would be the effect
in the United States if the submarine
warfare were now abandoned. The
government, however, shows no signs
OF weakening. and is now engaged IN a
vigorous publicity campaign TO bolster
I'D the waning confidence at home ana
quiet the complaints OF neutrals.
Il is matter Of knowledge 10 the
correspondent that at least one mem
Der OF the German government refused
10 commit himself 20 any definite time
limit for bringing Great Britain into
frame Of mind TO discuss peace. In
the correspondents last informal con-
vsrsation with DR.. Alfred Zimmerman,
head Of the Foreign Office, a few hours
before news OF the rupture of relations
with the United States was received in
Berlin, the minister, who was on tenter
hooks 20 know what the United States
would do, declared impulsively:
IF the United States will only keep
hands OFF and let us alone, two or three
months will be enough
Amends His Estimate
Then, noticing the correspondent
prick up his ears at this Foreign ONCE
use Of the stock phrase Of the ruthless
ness advocates, he quickly amended his
estimate.
"Say six months" he said; and then,
.adng a further mute query in the
respondents eyes. said:
Well, let US not fix any definite
DE Zimmerman then went on with
che argument that England and the
Entente. would quickly be made amena-
bic 20 he peace idea II the United
States would only refrain from break
inc relations or declaring war in con
sequence % the proclamation Of the
unrestricted submarine campaign.
German naval writers for some time
have been preparing their readers for
a possible falling of in the monthly
figures Of tonnage destroyed by sub
marines. Many Of them furnish the
advance explanation that this, if 1t
happens, will be due largely TO the
absence Of vessels 20 torpedo, or, IN
some articles, % the results Of British
methods. 10 mention Of any increase
in losses Of submarines is made.