New-York tribune., 1915-07-08
SEEKS, INSTEAD,
TO COMPROMISE
Wilson Believed Unwilling
70 Dicker with Berlin
on Terms.
SEES NO NEW POINTS
limited States Attitude Already
So Clearly Stated That Moth
ing Is Left TO Discuss.
-rrrn The Tribune Buresul

Washington. July 7.-Washington
became convinced yesterday that the
sxpected reply from Germany to
President Wilson's second note on
the Lusitania. no matter how con-
cjliatory in tone it might be, would
not offer any real concession to the
American demands. There will be
compromise offers, it is expected,
but as they would involve a reces-
sion by this country there is little
doubt that the German note, at least
in its present form, will be unaccept-
able.
A marked decrease in the opti-
mism which has been the rule in
Official circles since Ambassador Ge-
rard reported that the German re
plv would be conciliatory in tone
was noticeable to-day. The situa-
ton is not yet regarded as hopeless,
however, and some comfort IS de-
rived from Germany's evident IN
tention 70 learn just what is the
least American will accept.
There is a hope that when Berlin
learns that the present draft will
not satisfy this country further con-
ferences in Germany may eventually
lead to a reply which can be accept
ed. This will take time, and the
reply. it is now believed. will be de-
layed several days longer.
Count Won Bernstorf, German Am
bsssador, called on Secretary Lansing
to-day, after an absence Of several
weeks from Washington. While ms
ostensible purpose was 10 congratulate
M. Lansing on his appointment as
Secretary Of State, the German no'e
was the real topic Of conversation.
Won't Discuss Note Here.
Y js understood Secretary Lansing
told Count Won Bernstorff that no dip.
lomstic discussion of the contents OF
the note could properly be conducted
in Washington, but must be carried
on. II A. all between Ambassador Ger
ard and the German Foreign Office.
Count Won Berustorff would not dis
euss what had been said between hlm-
self and the Secretary. He appeared
in excellent spirits and talked cheer
fully on every other subject with the
many friends he encountered as ne
came out Of the State Department.
The German government has not IN
formed the ambassador Of the nature
Of the proposals submitted to Ambas-
ssdor Gerard This indicates, oihclals
think. that Berlin is not anxious 70
have the matter discussed diplomau-
cslly he-e.
Secretary Lansing indicated this
afternoon that he would not send
President Wilson's reply "a. AmoasSa-
dor Gerard's message until to-nlghI
The cause Of the delay was not eH-
planned Omcial opinion Is tnat the
Presidents answer refers TO tne I"o
previous notes of this government as
containing all the Information neces-
sary for the guidance Of the German
Foreign Once in framing its reply.
Mr.. Wilson is understood to have to.d
Ambassador Gerard that the proposed
informal discussion would be unneces-
sary. as Germany had raised no points
that had not been foreseen IN the tor-
nal American notes.
Messages Kept Secret.
The President sent strict injuncton9
70 Washington that on no account must
there bc any disclosure Of the nature
or contents Of the messages between
Ambassador Gerard and the state De
partment. II is believed that had the
messages been Of & nature to inspire
optimism some intimation to that Ell
feet would be given 10 the public
The views of the United States on
submarine warfare are so clearly
stated in the notes TO Germany that no
ground for informal discussion rs
thought left open. In the note OF Feb
ruary 10 or the German war zone proc
lamation the attention of Germany was
called 20 "the critical situation whlcn
might arise were the German naNai
forces 70 destroy any merchant VeSSel
Of the United States or cause the deaih
Of American citizens
The same note declared that tine
United States would be constrained 20
hold the imperial German government
10 q rIFiCf ACCOUNTABILITY ANA '-'N''
Of their naval authorities, and TO take
any steps II might be necessary 10
take 10 safeguard American lives or
property and 10 secure 70 American
citizens the full enjoyment Of their a.cc-
knowledged rights on the high seas.
The note Of May 10, after the SINK
ing OF the Lusitania, asserts that tAe
lives Of non-combatants cannot law
fully OF rightfully be put in jeopardy
by the capture or destruction OF an
unarmed merchantmen and REMINDS
Germany of "the obligation TO take the
usual precaution of visit and search.
Concerning the right Of Americans
70 travel in belligerent merchantmen
the same note says: american citizens
act within their indisputable rights IN
taking their ships and in travellinIis
wherever their legitimate business calls
them upon the high seas
Plain Terms Used.
The second Lusitania note stated that
nothing but actual forcible resistance
Continued on page 4. column