The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1917-02-16
WOULD TALK AGiIN
ABOUT U-BOAT PLAN
Germany Anxious for Further Aego-
tiatiOns On Undersea Blockade
Washington Sees But Little Hope.


has taken steps to open a discussion
With the United States of means or
preventing war.
In seeking an exchange OF views OH
the subject, however, it is not under
stood that the Berlin government has
proposed any modification OF its
ruthless submarine campaign and OF
hcials here feel they can not enter
upon such a discussion while vessels
continue to be destroyed in violation
of international law.
The new move is understood to BIZ
predicated upon a Willingness on
Germany's part to discuss especially
the safeguarding OF American ships
and American lives on the seas ana
backed by renewed expression OF
the desire OF the German government
to prevent the diplomatic breacn
from leading into actual hostilities.
Just how American interests are to
be safeguarded if the German war
zone proclamation is to stand and
whether any specific meahs of pre-
serving peace between the two ma
tions is included in the communica-
ton have not been revealed.
Because Of the delicacy OF the Sit
uation all officials refuse to discuss
it III detail or even to indicate
through what channels the commune
cation was addressed to the Amerl-
can government.
Won't be Accepted,
The manner in which the new Ger
man proposal was received in ofa'
cial quarters left the impression that
there was little possibility Of a ia
vorable response here. The attitude
of officials has been that only two
courses are open to Germany-that
she must either pursue her ruthless.
ness at the hazard of war with this
country or restore her repudiated
pledges given in the Sussex case. It
has been felt here that Germany has
been warned more fully than she had
any right to expect regarding the at
titude Of the United States and that
she decided on her course with full
knowledge of it's results. 1t is NOT
felt that Germany will be in posi-
ton to negotiate in the matter until
she has withdrawn. from campaign
which the United States has COLI
demned with the most serious step
it could take short OF war.
Officials, however, apparently are
not surprised at the German action.
In one diplomatic quarter it was char
acterized tonight as calculated to
shift to the state department respon-
sibility that Germany's own actions
mayhead to. 1t is realized also that II
will have an effect on the pacihciss
and the pro-German elements in the
country which will be embarrassing
to officials here.
Question of Motive.
What may be the ulterlor move back
of the step also is a matter OF spec
ulation. In some quarters there IS evl-
dent a feeling that it merely is a play
for time designed to postpone any
further action by the United States
until the starvation blockade againsL
England either has succeeded or fail
ed. Elsewhere there are suggestions
that there may be behind it sincere
desire to make sacrifices to preserve
peace between the United States ano
Germany and may come as response
to the appeals understood to have
been sent abroad by paci6sts in this
country. In any event there is NJ
evidence that President Wilson is con-
templating any other course than
vigorous preparation of the nation for
the eventuality which he warmer
against in his address to congress II
American rights are violated. Up to
tonight no official evidence had been
received to show that the feared overt
act had been committed.
Watch Gerard'S Departure.
aside from the new German COM
munication interest in official circle,
centered chiefly in the course of Ber-
lin officials in placing obstacles in the
way of the departure of Ambassador
Gerard Great resentment has been
aroused here over this incident bur
officials have indicated that as soon
as the ambassador is safely out OF
Germany they will be disposed to con-
slider the matter closed.
Although definite information re-
sarding the channel through which
the German communication was d.
rected is lacking, it is considered GER
tain that it has been forwarded by
the government Of Switzerland. The
Swiss minister here. who has taken
over German interests in this country,
called at the state department this at
ternoon and saw Counsellor Polk
roth refused to discuss the conference
mt it is considered probable the MIS-
lister, on behalf OF Germany. commun-
iceted that governments views. If he
did the German suggestions were. it is
oo!ieved. given orally.