South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-03-15
FOOD QUESTION
WORRIES BERLIN
Gerard Back From Germany
Says 20 Millions Are
in Sore Need.

mer Ambassador Gerard. fresh from
Berlin, reported to the state depart
ment Wednesday that when ne left
there was every evidence Germany
fully intended carrying out her ruth
less submarine campaign, regardless
of the prospect of war with the
United States and that tall, Of peace
had been abandoned.
The former ambassador did not
see Pres't Wilson because the pres
ident still is confined to his room but
he conferred at length with both
Sec'y Lansing and Counsellor Polk.
and went over with them in detail
events leading TO the break in dip
lOmatic relations between Germany
and the United States.
Mr.. Gerard reported that German
officials apparently considered the
effects and consequences Of submar-
inc ruthlessness before proclaiming
it, and as far as he could learn were
confident of its success. When he
left Berlin, however, the campaign
was only in its second week and the
| Germans were still predicting the
destruction of a million tons of ship
ping a month, the amount admitted
by Teutonic experts TO be essential
for an effective starvation blockade
of England. Since then, the average
destruction has been below half that.
Food Situation Serious.
Food conditions in Germany when
NJ vHf I,f
ed as serious, but not necessarily
critical This question is looked upon
| by the American government as very
/ important because of its bearing up
on the possibility of further peace
moves by Germany in the near flu
ture.
The former ambassador arrived
/ here from Key West, Fla. shortly
after noon and was met at the sta
ton by a group of officials includ-
ing Counsellor Polk and Asst. Sec'y
Phillips Of the state department;
Sec'y McAdoo. Sec'y Tumulty and
/ Sen. Hughes of New Jersey. A for
mer statement was given out by Mr.
| Gerard saying he would make his
report TO the government and would
not talk for publication. During the
remainder of the day and night he
held to his determination. He re-
manned over here wednesday night
and will go TO New York late Thurs
day in time for a formal reception
TO be rendered him there Friday.
The report made by the former
ambassador to the state department
was understood TO deal particularly
with the treatment accorded himself
and other Americans following the
| break in diplomatic relations. the eff
forts of the German government to
get him to re-affirm the old treaty
| Of 1928, with extensive changes. the
| general attitude OF the German gov
eminent and public towards sub
marine warfare. peace and relations
with the United States, and condi-
tons in Germany.
! Many Diplomats Return
The department presented a scene
OF unusual activity with the many
returned diplomats who accompan-
led Mr. Gerard reporting TO their SUI
periors. Some of them will be kept
at the department and others will
be given new posts.
While officials are extremely anxi-
Gus to learn the personal opinions of
men fresh from Germany there is
not the slightest disposition to feel
that the international situation can
be affected in any way at this time.
/ Germany is believed to have shown
herself in the series Of sinkings such
as the Laconia, the California and
many others. including the Ameri-
can steamship Algonquin. reported
/ Wednesday sunk without warning.
TO the utterly unmindful Of the
country's rights or its possible par
/ ticipation in the war
20 Million Need Food Badly.
Regarding food conditions one of
the best observers who has reported
to the state department in months.
said 2O.OOO,000 people directly con-
nected with the army or govern
ment. ANOTHER 2O.OOO.OOO people in
the rural population and about g.
( OOO. 900 wealthy people are we'll fed.
( but that the balance, about 10000
] ~