New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-09
Lansing Asks Report
on Speech; Meddling
i'm Politics Seen
EFFECT IN ALLIED
CAPITALS FEARED
Friendly Relations Please
German Press, but May
Alarm Entente
Prom Tn. ribun. Bureau J

Prom The Tribune Bureau
Washington, Jan. 8.-Possibillties
of the gravest consequence are seen
in the speech made in Berlin Satur-
day night by Ambassador Gerard.
Printed in the American press to-
day. the ambassadors remarks Gre
ated a sensation in official circles.
The State Department admitted
that Mr.. Gerard had been asked by
cable for a report of his speech. But
Secretary Lansing would not admit
that he had perceived any impro-
priety in the printed version.
At once the question sprang up,
Was Mr.. Gerard acting on the ad-
vice or with the approval Of Wash
ington? Was it part of a well
thought out policy, of which the
peace note was another part?
Interfering in Politics
Particular attention was directed
TO Mr.. Gerard's statement that "as
long as Germany's fate is directed
by such men as my friend the Chan
celIor and DR.. Helfferich," and long
list of others in the present govern
ment, concluding with last, but not
least, my friend Zimmerman (For-
eign Minister) the relations between
the two countries are running no
risk"
THIS is regarded by diplomats as in
terference in German politics. It is held
that Mr.. Gerard has reflected on the
opposition party, headed by Admiral
Won Tirpitz. Interference in the poll
tics OF a country 10 which he is se-
credited is one of the most serious Of
fences an ambassador can commit.
II Ambassador Won Bernstorff, prior
70 the last election, had publicly stated
his belief that the continuance of
friendly relations could be secured by
the reelection OF President Wilson the
case would have been exactly parallel,
diplomats pointed out to-day.
Bolstering Up Hollweg
Further than this, Mr. Gerard's state
ment has a decided bearing on the
Presidents peace note. 1t appears to
confirm beyond question the theory ex-
pressed a few days after the note was
sent, and repeated since, that Mr. Will
sons note was deliberate effort TO
play German politics by bolstering up
the Bethmann-H -Hollweg government
The Tribune's Washington dispatches
said then that Mr.. Wilson believed the
continuance of relations with Germany
depended on keeping Hollweg in power.
It seems at least possible. therefore,
that Mr.. Gerard was speaking from in
spiration. He had just returned to Ber-
lin from this country, where he had
had numerous conferences with Presi-
dent Wilson and Secretary Lansing
about German-American relations, in
which. doubtless, German politics
played a large part.
It may be that Mr.. Gerard himself
suggested to Mr.. Wilson the necessity
Of helping the Hollweg government
against it's political enemies. II may
be that Mr.. Wilson suggested it to Mr..
Gerard. It seems certain to close OBJ
servers that there was an understand
ing between Mr.. Wilson and Mr.. Gerard
on the subject.
MAY Offend the Allies
Another statement Of Mr.. Gerard that
caused wide comment was that never
since the beginning of the war have the
relations between Germany and the
United States been as cordial as now"
This. taken together with Secretary
Lansing's statement that the country
was "on the verge of war;" was re-
garded as a most unfortunate remark,
as II might lead to the conclusion in
Allied countries that the United States
was on the verge Of war with the
Allies.
Then there was the statement OF Mr.
Gerard that he had brought back an
olive branch-or, don't you consider the
Presidents message an olive branch? -
This was said after Director Won Gwin-
r.r of the Deut9che Bank had called
Mr.. Gerard "the peace dove Of Noah's
ark"
The question asked widely here is
wb,ther Mr.. Gerard intended 10 say
that Mr.. Wilson's note on peace was an
olive branch, held out TO Germany by
the United States as a sign that the
submarine feud was over. IN this was
his meaning it fitted well with the rest
Of the speech.
Will Increase Suspicion
II he meant merely 70 refer 70 the
nesce note generally as an olive branch
10 all the belligerents, it is not seen
clearly what relation the remark had
10 the statements about the friendship
and good relations Of the two govern
ments.
On the whole. II ia feared that the
sreech will have the effect OF arousing
further suspicion in Allied countries
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