Evening star., 1917-01-09
CONFLICTING VIEWS
OF GERARD SPEECH
Some German Papers Ap-
pIaud, Others Condemn,
Ambassadors Words.
WARNING, BRITISH THINK
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
BERLIN. January 8. via London.
january 9-The dinner given by the
American Association Of Commerce and
Trade of Berlin in honor of Ambassador
Gerard continues in the forefront of
interest. 1t Is recognized. as pointed
out in a Berlin dispatch to the Cologne
Gazette, as a political development OF
high Importance, leading the German
editors to devote their Monday reviews
Of the week largely to a discussion OF
its bearing on future German-Amerl-
can relations and upon peace pros
poets.
The event has, in general, a friendly
press, and Ambassador Gerard's dec
1arations regarding the excellent con-
dition of the relations between Ger
many and the United States are gen.
orally welcomed. although the out
spokenly anti-American newspapers do
not refrain from exploiting them In an
unfavorable sense.
Criticises the Speech.
The Tages Zeitung finds that the
American ambassador violated all dip
lomatio proprieties' in speaking of the
relations at all, and particularly in as
sociating their prolongation with the
continuance in Office of Chancellor Won
Rethmann Hollweg, Field Marshal Won
Hindenburg. chief of general staff. and
Gen. Ludendorf. first quartermaster
general.
Theodor Wolff. in the Tageblatt. la
menting that in the flood of misunder-
standing such reasonable exchanges of
opinion and information are not NOR
frequently heard, expresses high
pleasure at the course of the dinner.
The Vorwaerts. in noteworthy lead
er, representing the views of major
fly of the socialists. expresses the
hope that President Wilson will not
drop his efforts for peace, but will
again and Internationally request both
Sides to communicate their general
In this case Germany will comply with
the request.
Pre-Condition to Mediation.
The paper then describes its idea of
the course the negotiations should take,
saying that the answers should not
take the form of detailed peace pro-
grams worked out in all points. which.
1t contends, can only be elaborated at
o peace conference. but the communi-
ably be brought out through the con-
tinued exchange of questions and
answers.
The Vorwaerts believes that the din
ner to Ambassador Gerard Is a testi-
mony to the existence of that conf
dence Of American good will which is
q pre-condition to intrusting President
Wilson with the mediation of such an
Interchange of views
Tho Boersen Zeitung, Berlin's leading
nnanClal n EatZaS
to Ambassador Gerard as an opportun-
fty to discuss peace again. 1t declares
that the banquet had unusual i'm
portance. and expresses almost enthus-
iasm at the cordial relations existing
between the United States and Ger
many as 1t finds them in the expressions
of the speakers.
The Boersen Zeftung says that it is
natural that Germany now looks diff
ferently upon an America which has
recovered from what may be termed
Its carouse over it's rich war gains
than on an America which Germany
understanding of her situation"
The paper warns Americans, however,
that they must not expect the German
people to be deeply grateful for peace
efforts which, IL says. ARE actually
inspired by Americas own desires and
needs for peace"
Thinks Speech Warning.
LONDON. January s-The Manches-
ter Guardian. in its comment on Am
bassador Gerard's speech in Berlin,
says it regards it as plain warning
to Germany.
The versions OF the speech deserve
careful study" the newspaper de-
clares. because they throw a good
deal Of light On the inner mind of
diplomats" After quoting the version
Of the ambassadors remarks in which
he is made to say that so long as Ger
many's destiny is conducted by her
present leaders he did not fear that
the relations between Germany and the
United states would suffer, the Guar
dian continues:
That is the diplomatic way of say
Ing that II more extreme parties came
into power or II the present rulers
Of Germany yielded to their clamor
he would not like to say what might
happen. Evidently Mr.. Gerard Is anx-