New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-13
Wilson Bars Sea Par
ley While Fright
fulneSS Lasts
MUST RETURN TO
SUSSEX PLEDGE
Bernstorff Bryan Pacihsm
Futile-La Toilette
Joins Work
By STEVENSON II. EVANS

AhnAA VI 1NAilA1-Af = OAANA ~ hhtNNtr
the differences between the two ma
tions while the ruthless submarine
war goes on was made to-day by the
American State Department, which
thus exploded the hollow German
pretence that the imperial govern
ment stood ready to make conces-
sions i'm favor Of American ships.
The organized hypocrisy, which
was given such extended publicity on
Saturday and Sunday, following a
call by the Swiss Minister, DR.. Rit-
ter. on the Counsellor of the State
Department, now appears for exactly
what it is-Germany has not offered
to give up its policy Of frightfulness.
As has been pointed out in Wash
ington dispatches to The Tribune on
Saturday and Sunday the suggestion
made orally by the Swiss Minister on
Saturday afternoon was put forward
with the sole idea Of dividing Ameri-
can public opinion on the submarine
issue and supporting the Bryan
propaganda for peace at any price.
1t was intended entirely for public
consumption and it never would have
been put in the definite form Of a
written memorandum if the State
Department had not insisted.
Forced Written Proposal
The State Department forced the
written memorandum. This was de-
livered last night. 1t was studied by
the President to-day and a reply was
written. Memorandum and reply
we're made public here this after
noon.
The German suggestion best
speaks for itself. The most sym
pathetic friend Of Germany could see
in it no sign of willingness to sur
render its policy of submarine fright
fuIness and utter disregard for hui
manity and international law. This
is all there was TO il:
The Swiss government has
been requested by the German
government TO say that the lat
ter is now, as before, willing 10
negotiate formally or informally
with the United States provided
that the commercial blockade
against England will not be
broken thereby.
Frightfulness Must End
In announcing the American reply
to this memorandum, it was stated
in the name Of the President that
mo other interchange on this SUBJ
tect has taken place between this
government and any other govern
ment or person" This is the Amer
lean reply:
My Dear Mr.. Minister: am
requested by the President TO
say to you, in acknowledging the
memorandum which you were
kind enough to send me on the
18th instant, that the govern
ment Of the United States would
gladly discuss with the German
government any questions it
might propose for discus
sion were it 10 withdraw
its proclamation Of the 3lst
of January, in which, suddenly
and without previous intima-
ton Of any kind, it cancelled
the assurances which it had
given this government on the
4th of May last, bs, that it
does not feel that it can enter
into any discussion with the
German government concern
ing the policy ( submarine war
fare against neutrals which il
is now pursuing unless and un-
til the German government re-
news its assurances Of the 4th
of May and acts upon the as
surance.
Rid Of Bryan's Influences
The officials of the State Depart
ment now believe that they have ef-
fectually rid themselves Of the effects
OF the Bernstorff- Bryan joint efforts
70 befog the issue. There will be no
communication with Germany unless
the Kaiser and his advisers give up
the murderous submarine policy they
have declared. Perhaps they VIII
,;,,o !. u0 Int nohodv here eXDccts