The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-03-15
But Solidly Determined to En-
dure Hunger in Hope OF
Winning War by
Submarines.
GERARD MAKES REPORT
saws Peace VIII Como Immediately
II the U Boat Campaign Can
Be Proven Dismal
Failure.
lBy Robert J. Bender, United Press
STAFF Correspondent

lBy Robert J. Bender. United Press
Staff Correspondent
WASHINGTON, March 15.-"F'r1ed-
ehnsuch"-longing for peace-ls
the great deep seated emotion OF the
German people today.
With grim stolidness, they are en-.
during hunger and privat1ons OF all
kinds, confident that with their last
and most ruthless war weapon-the
U boat-an end to the devatattng
European struggle may soon be &C
complished.
These are In substance the out
standing features Of Ambassador Ger
ards first report to Secretary Lansing
and other government ofhctals on
German conditions.
There is another feature that Ger
ard conveyed Of equal importance:
Despite the food shortage and tot
tering financial structures OF the
government, Germany will be able un-
less there Is a crop failure to struggle
through for another year by applica-
tion Of the most drastic self-denfal-
II peace does not come before an
other twelve months.
There Is no question, according to
Gerard, but that the German people
are united and determined as never
before in the war to support their
government in a policy Of unrestrict-
ed subsea warfare.
No relaxation can be hoped for un-
less the inefacacy of the boat is
proved beyond question. When this
time arrives, peace Is imm ediately
before the world.
Gerard has given summary OF
his story to Secretary Lansing. He
may repeat it to President Wilson
today before leaving for New York.
Should the president. because of his
illness, be unable to see him, how
ever. Gerard will return next week.
After submitting his report in full,
Gerard will seek rest. He is suffer-
ing from a cold of six months stand
ing; is weary and worn from nerve
racking experiences Of the last few
months, for back of his formal re-
cital Of political and economic condl-
tions in Germany, Gerard is carrying
a story amazing in its dramatic Incl
dents, lurid in its colorful details and
all the blood and thunder elements
Of the modern dime novel.
Step by step it goes forward from
the time he returned to Berlin last
December and found the pinch 0f hun
ger and the unrest Of the Teuton pec
pie pressing for peace.
II progresses through unsuccessful
efforts of Germany to get a confer
ence of belligerents. the wrath of
disappointed and embittered Germany
and the ensuing demand for unlimited
submarine warfare.
Thora annaarS in the narrative the
fruitless political stroke-an address
by Gerard in Berlin-designed to halt
the German government in this move
ment and cause it to ponder the pen
altv of removing the limit on U boat
campaigning.
Finally, the announcement of the
new u boat decree, severance of dip
lomatic relations and the clumsy Ger
man indignities heaped upon Gerard
and other Americans before departure
from Berlin.
Among these are listed constant es-
pionage of Gerard's every action even
within the American mbassy-cutting
Off his telephone communications af-
ter announcement Of the diplomatic
break; refusal to allow him to COM
municate in code either with his gov
ernment or the various consuls in Ger
many: stopping of the embassy mail,
and finally demand that he reahirm
and amend an old treaty under sand
bagging' threats to hold American cor
respondents until he did.
Gerard's report will be locked up IN
the archieves OF the state department,
for ofYicial reference and not for public
consumption.