GREAT WAR COUNCIL IN BERLIN

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 97, 25 April 1916, Page 7

GREAT WAR COUNCIL IN BERLIN

POSITION VIEWED WITH UTMOST SERIOUSNESS

1 ' LONDON,' 24th April. It is reported from Berlin that a great War Council is being-' held at General Headquarters' for deliberation on the American crisis. It is expected to last some days. The position is viewed with,the utmost seriousness in Government circles, which demand that the situation shall be examined in all its aspects in order to meet the latest danger. Not only the politicians, but military and naval chiefs are participating in the council. The newspapers which support the Government advise caution and an appeal to America's sense of justice, but the majority of the newspapers refuse to hear of abandoning the submarine warfare, and sneer at American intervention as of little importance. The Yossische Zeitung accuses President Wilson of "dropping the last semblance of impart;.: lity when he demands the renunciation of our effective weapon against the starvation warfare." ENEMY PRESS COMMENT. LONDON, 23rd April. Commenting on President Wilson's Note to Germany, the Kreuz Zeitung anticipates a rupture of relations with the United States, and hopes that the development will secure for Germany unrestricted freedom in her submarine warfare. The Koelnische Yolks Zeitung states that President Wilson wants war. If he maintains his menace, the only conclusion for Germany is naval war with all it means and all its consequences. The Vienna newspapers regard the. Note as creating a crisis. They accuse President Wilson of favouring the Entente, and demand thatr-Germany reply with the dignity corresponding to her rights. ROTTERDAM, 24th April. The German Lokal Anzeiger says : "President Wilson does not love us, and we are not trying to gain his affection. We stand on- our good rights, and are hitting our enemy where he is most sensitive President Wilson does not frighten us. The word for President Wilson is 'hands off.'" Herr Mnxmillan Harden in Die Zuknnfi publishes a remarkable article entitled, "If I Were President Wilson." He makes President Wilson, in the form of an imaginary speech, deliver stinging indictments on, Germany's rein,tions with America. ' Herr Harden warns Germany of the untenable nature of her demands and the consequences if she breaks with America. She will lose all her ships, and also have to provision Belgium, while no further supplies will reach her through Scandinavia." THE SOFT PEDAL. WASHINGTON, 23rd April. The Evening Post states that the Government will look favourably upon an immediate declaration by Germany that she will abandon submarine attacks without warning, and will destroy prizes only in calm weather near shore, pending a discussion of the equities and principles involved. ■' .■ - LONDON, 24th April. An intercepted wireless message to the Naw York World, from Karl Wiegand (the war correspondent), states that gravity pervades the atmosphere of the German Foreignl Office at Bsrlin. A strong influence is working for a peaceful solution of the problem. Some do not sec any hope, but others are quite hopeful. SAFETY OF AMERICANS ABROAtt. WASHINGTON, 23rd April. Mr. Gerard (American Ambassador in Berlin, has been warned to safeguard Americans in Germany and allied countries in the event of war.