The sun., 1917-02-13
Presidents Quick Answer
CheckmateS Move to
Embarrass Him.
BERLIN'S SINCERITY
Is AGAIN DOUBTED
His Action Prompted by a
Message From Newspaper
Correspondent.
DIR. GEORGE KIRCHWEY
AND BRYAN INVOLVED
Former Interceded to Get
Despatch Sent Telling of
Anti-War Sentiment.

WASHINGTON, Feb. ~. - President
Wilson definitely and finally closed the
door to-day TO all parley and discuss
sion of compromise with Germany as
long as the illegal submarine decree
remains in operation. He told Berlin,
through the Swiss Legation here that
this Government does not feel that II
can enter into any discussion with the
German Government concerning the
policy of submarine warfare against
neutrals which It Is now pursuing"
His reiteration OF this Governments
position was made by the President in
response to the intimation from Berlin,
transmitted by the Swiss Minister
here to Secretary Lansing, that Ger
many was willing to negotiate with
the United States. provided that the
commercial blockade against England
will not be broken thereby" The
German proposal was first made
known to this Government by the
Swiss Minister on Saturday, as re-
ported in THE Sun. Sunday night a
formal memorandum was delivered.
The text of the German proposal, to-
sether with the Presidents prompt re-
ply, was given out by Secretary Lansing
to-day. 1t dlsposes OF the report that
Germany's reported move was merely
part Of the German propaganda in the
United states instigated by Count Won
Bernstorfr acting In colluson with Will
lam J. Bryan and other pacidsts.
Wilson's Chcckmate.
II Is made clear now that whatever
embarrassment this move has caused the
Administrations policy and whatever
tendency It has had to weaken the bel
ligerent split hero are due directly to the
Imperial German Government Only the
fact that the President has acted
promptly and with decision has check
mated whatever advantages Berl!n hoped
to gain.
Ohicials here are convinced tnat Ger
many has not counted upon this sug-
gestion working anything but an un-
favorable response from this Govern
ment. The view they take Is that it was
designed, like the German peace pro-
posals. to throw responsibility for hos
tilities between the two nations should
| they eventuate, upon this Government
Reports sent to Germany o! the pacifist
sentiment in this country and particu-
larry concerning the activities OF Mr.
| Bryan are believed Furthermore to have
| had more or less to do with its inspira-
ton. Germany does not expect to avoid
a clash with this country. but that she Ia
/ counting much upon 4 divided sentiment
, here, which may cause delay valuable TO
| her plans, officials here do not for u
minute doubt
| For this reason there Is considerable
feeling here in official circles against all
those instrumental in prompting tho
German move, which admittedly bases
| all parley on complete surrender OF the
basic principle which the President made
the reason for severinG diplomatic rela-
| tions, In effect Germany assumes that
! the stand taken by tAe United States ii
not that which President Wilson has out
! lined and that this Government might he
ready TO repud!ate 1t.
Close scrutiny Il Taken
officials were naturally concerned 70
know whore Germany could have OBJ
, tained this impression, and it is in this
connection that the activity of Germans,
pacihsts and certain neutralS here has
come under the close scrutiny of the
State Department.
| Whether or not Count Won Eernstorfr
! the dismissed German Ambassador, in
spirel the idea IL not definitely known.
1t Is Hretty well established however.
that Mr.. Bryan, Dr. George Kirchwev.
former dean OF the Columbia Law School,
and other peace advocates. who got busy
here Immediately after the break, cou-
ferred with Dr. George Barthelme
Washington correspondent of the semi
official Cologne Gosctte and close
| friend OF Count Won Bernstorff and the
Swiss Minister
Some OF Or. Bartheme's dispatches to
the Cologne Gazette were held uD be-