New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-23
of the food system and the sdministra-
tive details.
The Famous Interview
At Charleyille

In the next instalment he gives the
details of his famous interview at
Charleville. Falkenhavn, LudendorR
rud HlpdcnburG were for ruthless war.
These ignored, IL they did not snub, the
ambassador The Chancellor and Helfe-
rich were for peace. These took him to
the Kaiser.
Have you come bearing peace or war
in either hand?" asked the Kaiser.
Gerard said he bore no such alterna-
tive. but came TO prevent estrange-
ment The Emperor said "the subma.
rins had conn to stay" that "the
American notes were discourteous" and
that there was no longer any inter
national law" He then asked, "Why
have you not broken the British block
ade ?"
But the interview had It's effect. The
German Sussex note of May. 1916,
pledged her to sinking with warn
ing" Ruthless warfare and war with
America had been postponed again.
There appears, according TO the Ger
ard text, as published in the Public
LCdgC on August Ii, some kind Of
understanding that in return for this
abandonment Cf ruthless warfar,
President Wilson would strive 10 make
}
requesting this. Later he quotes the
Chancellor as complaining that Presi-
dent Wilson's peace message of Deem
Der 1916, was "too vague" And he
tells how Won Jagow and Won Beth
mann-Ilollweg had solicited HIM TO re-
turn 20 the United States 70 seek for
world peace. and how, in fact, he did
visit the United States. which visit
resulted In the fruitlcss Wilson Christ
mas peace message IN 1916.
Gerard felt all the time that the
submarine was but sleeping and that
war must come. unless peace came
sooner. IN Chapter 12. which the
PUjlic Ledqcr published on August
l6, the ambassador tells OF his return
from Washington 70 Germany and OF
his learning while in Washington OF
the Presidents adherence OF the de-
portation of BelgiGns into slavery in
Germany. His protests brought from
LudendorfT the explanation that, as
they feared the British might break
through. they wished 10 provide
against British success in Belgium
There followed the Presidents peace
message of December Is, calling upon
belligerents 20 state their aims. ON
cial Germany now tried to be extreme
ly friendly with the American Ambas-
sador. But there were dark spots.
Germany's treatment Of the Yarrow-
dale prisoners raised doubts as to her
sincerity in trying 20 preserve peace
with the United States. While fair
speeches were being made at dinners
given Mr.. Gerard, he had reason TO
feel that "the orders TO begin the
ruthless submarine warfare had al
ready been given"
Ludendorf, "the real genius back OF
HindenburC," explained cases like the
sinking OF the Marina as accidents.
Finally, after fine dinner to Gerard,
1T which the latter, perhaps too credu-
lous, intimated that there would be
neace between our nations so long as
his friends remained in office IN Ger
many. the blow fell,
Zimmerman. on January 81 of this
wear. gave notice ard defined his war
zones" in the Atlantic. The Gerard text
recites: -,
"Thc Chancellor said: Nothing will
happen. America will not fight. Presi-
dent Wilson is for nothing but peace.
Zimmerman said: Everything VIII
20 on as before. The President is for
peace
President Wilson's breaking of OF
diplomatic relations following the Zim-
hermann note "cau7cd the most IN
tense surprise" the ambassador says.
Then BEGAN his isolation and his trou-
bles in getting out Of Germany and the
falling away of his once warm official
friends.
That extraordinary treaty respect