Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-03-13
AMBASSADOR SAYS He WILL
EXPOSE BERLIN INTRlGUES
AGAINST GOVERNMENT
NATION RUNS 'AMUCK'
PARTY TRAVEL IN SPECIAL CARS
TO ARRIVE IN WASHINGTON
FRIDAY WHEN FULL REPORT
WILL BE MADE TO PRESIDENT.

Daytona, Fla, Mar. l3-James W.
Gerard, former ambassador to Ger
many, today was putting the finishing
touches on his report to President
Wilson on the attitude of Germany
toward the United States and condl-
tions in the central empires. Mr.. Ger.
ard reached Jacksonville at 1:3O this
afternoon and expects to get to Wash
ington Friday afternoon. The form
er ambassador and about forty other
Americans who compose his party are
travelling in special cars.
Mr.. Gerard declined to answer ques-
tions regarding his report, but men,
bers of the party stated it would be
a complete expose OF German intrigue
against this country.
Germany in her desperation has
simply ran amuck," stated one mem
ber of the ambassadors party The
Berlin government counts on Mexico
to keep the United States occupied
on this hemisphere if hostilities should
come between Germany and the Unit
ed States. Realizing that her chances
of winning the war are dwindling, Ger
many is trying to bolster up her fali-
ing fortunes by every possible means.
the submarine campaign fails to
starve England into submission, Ger
many is doomed.
Ambassador Gerard expects to see
Secretary Lansing Immediately on
his arrival at Washington
Washington, March 13--Rumors
that Germany would reply to the
: World notification" of the United
States that its merchant vessels will
, carry an armed guard" by declara-
tion of war against the United States
were widely circulated here today
They met with denial at the SWISS
legation where German affairs in this
country are being handled, but they
were none the less widely persisted
in.
Officials refused to discuss possibili-
ties. It was admitted that Germany
undoubtedly has adopted definite
plan Of action and declaration Of
war in view of the existing rupture,
would cause no surprise. But mas
l. much as Germany has the knack Of do
ing that unexpected at all times, Off
| cials by direct orders from President
Wilson are refraining from discussing
possibilities.
: The general situation so far as the
u country at large Is concerned con-
tinues one of waiting. The navy Is
Ii rushing its preparations. Its purchase
: of sixteen nonrigid dirigible aircraft
! and for an adequate number OF high
> powered submarine chasers for coast
< patrol purposes is only preliminary, of
'. lclals say, to acquiring everything
i that might possibly be needed in pro-
t tecting the country.
e From his sickbed President Wilson
today was directing the preparations
p of both branches Of the service. The
1t army plans are naturally held back.
i No action can be taken so far as in
creasing the personnel until state OF
war actually exists. When that comes
If it does, the first call will he for a
volunteer force of 100000 men. The
General Staff has worked out plan
to officer such force. 1t already mas
: directed the various regimental com
manders to recommend fro .mthe en-
listed forces sixty men for commits
o sions from each regimental unit
=. These lists must be submitted to the
staff not later than March 20, one
IF week from today.
ho Sixty is the minimum number, bu
20 there was some doubt in official guar
is ters whether some Of the more recent
~ " organized regiments would be ahl'
,h to supply this many II the plan works
a out a total of $500 officers would p'
IN Immediately available.
"a. The greatest danger of this plan j
that it robs existing regiments OF W
best non-commissioned officers. Inn
naturally will seriously weaken th'
professional standing Of the army
But officers today declared the meth
cd the general staff has adopted is tn
. only one by which volunteer arm
could bo speedily whipped into shape
t., The regular army as at present cor
'o'' ytituted has 70D0 commissioned ON
:, GERS None of these could he spare
from their regular posts to tram Yo
unteers. In addition to the me
picked from the ranks for this wor
my one thousand members Of the officers
l reserve corps under the General Sta
plan would he called to the co
Nn- ors to command volunteer regiments