The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-02-11
Now Said to Be Seeking
Means to Avoid War
With United States.
SOME lNCREDULOUS
SEE PLAY FOR TIME
Modification of Submarine
Campaign Considered
Essential Here.

taken steps to open discussion with
the United States of means of prevent
ing war between them.
In seeking an exchange Of views on
the subject however, it is not UNDER
stood that the Berlin government has
less submarine campaign and officials
here say they cannot enter upon such
discussion, while vessels continue to
be destroyed in violation of intcrna-
tional law.
The new move is understood to be
predicated upon Willingness on Cor
many's part to discuss especially the
safeguarding of American ships and
American lives on the seas and backed
by renewed expression of the desire
OF the German government TO prevent
the diplomatic breach from leading to
actual hostiitics. Just how Amcri-
can interests are to be safecuar ried if
the German war zone proclamat ton is
specific means of preserving peace
between the two nations Is in
cludcd in the communication has not
been revealed
Because of the dclicacy of the sit
nauon, all officials refuse 10 discuss
II In detail or even to indicate through
what channels the communication was
addressed to the American government.
What may be the Interior motive
back Of the step also is n matter OF
speculation. In some quarters there
is an evident feeling that 1t Is merely
a play for time. designed to postpone
any further action by the United
States until the starvation blockade
against England either has succeeded
or failed. Elsewhere there are sug-
gcstions that there may be behind it a
sincere desire To make sacrifices to
preserve peace between the United
states and Germany and may come as
n response to the appeals understood
to have been sent abroad by pacif-
lists in this country.
In any event there Is no evidence
that President Wilson is contcmplat-
ing any other course tlian vigorous
preparation of the nation for the
evcntnality which he warned against
in his address TO congress If American
rights are violated.
Up to tonight on official evidence
feared overt act had been committed.
Although definite information re-
garding the channel through which
the German communication was di-
| rccted Is lacking, 1t is considered Ger
tain that 1t has been forwarded by
the government of Switzerland The
Swiss minister here who has taken
over German interests in this country,
called at the state department this
afternoon and saw Counsellor Polk.
Both refused TO discuss the confer
| ence, but it Is considered Probable the
| minister. on behalf of Germany. com
| municated that governments views.
| IL he did, the German suggestions
were. it Is believed, given orally.
| 1t is regarded as improbable that
specific suggestions would be put for
ward at least until the United States
indicates in some way it's sentiment
toward the general proposal for dis
cussion.
| 1t WAS disclosed tonight that when
Count von Bernstorff Informed the
United States Of the new German pol
! icy, an effort was last week made to
bring about IA discussion apparently
designed to result in the United States
Iagrceing not to take any serious action
and that administration officials flatly
declined to consider It,
Some light also was thrown upon
Gcrmany's point OF view when it was
learned today that while the Berlin
government was arranging for the new
campaign of ruthless warfare certain
,German diplomats in various parts OF
the world were notified that while
military necessity" prevented the
granting of a period in which ncutrals
might adjust their maritime interests
every care would be exercised tina,
neutral, and especially American pas
Scnger-carrring ships would not b,
subjected to unwarncd attack
The manner in which the new Ger
man proposal was received in official
quarters left the impression that there
was little possibility Of a favorable re-
sponse here. The attitude OF officials
has been that only two courses are
open to Germany--that she must either
of war with this country. or restore
. her repudiated pledges given in the
! SncSay ,aSp