Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-08-31
CERMANY's CONCESSIONS
ON SUBMARINE WARFARE
Reported to Have Admitted That She
Has Grievously Wronged
America.
MAKES PROMISES FOR FUTURE
Pledges Herself to Spare Lives Of
American Citizens-Assumes Full
Responsibility for Loss OF Lives
Aboard the LuSitania.
Especial to The Times-Dispatch. ]

Especial to The Times Dispatch.l
NEW YORK. August 3o.-The Inter-
national News Service is able to pre-
sent from a high and authoritative
source the exact concessions on sub
marine warfare offered to Secretary
Lansing by Ambassador Bernstorf.
Ofhcial confirmation of these conces-
sions is expected by Ambassador Bern
storff within the next forty eight hours,
possibly within twenty-fo four hours
Germany admits in diplomatic terms.
II is said. that in her submarine war
fare she has grievously wronged Amer
lea. She promises without qualification
thai the life OF not one American citi-
by her undersea boats.
In the exact words of a high Off
c!al. she pledges herself that mot one
American should go overheard"
Whatever the diplomatic form of
presentation may have been. Germany
did. without reservation, assume full re :
srcnsibility for the loss OF American
lives aboard the Lusitania.
Her offer of reparat!on was so un-
qualified that only method of deter
mining the amount OF damage remains
To he ascertained.
She requests the United States to
suggest some means of asccrtaining
such damages.
She does not dsavow the destruction
OF the Lusitania. This she feels is i'm
possible. for the reason that she has
already officially honored the command
or OF the successful submarine.
Moreover she vigorously maintained
that the giant Cunardcr loaded with
munitions was in reality a ship OF war.
She realizes. however. that this fact did
net warrant the taking OF American
lives.
The Arabic case is clearer cut than
that of the Lusitania. on which she had
Official reports. No submarine COM
nnrder has as yet admitted sinking
the Arabic.
Germany will. nevertheless pay for
the lives OF two Americans lost with
that ship, if sufficient evidence is pre-
scented BY witnesses.
The United States is accordingly
asked TO obtain all the facts and pre-
sent them for the consideration OF the
German government. a satisfactory ad-
justment Will then be reached.
INDIGNANTLY DENIES
REPORT OF MEN HIDING
Germany Indignantly denies report
that the officers and crew OF the sub
marine which blew up the Arabic have
been ordered by the German admiralty
to go into hiding. Germany asserts
that no efforts are being made to with
hold the men from punishment II orders
! or their superiors were disobeyed.
! In reminding the United States Of her
promise to mediate with England for
the freedom OF the seas. Germany main
tains that the suggestion OF such me-
! diation originated with this govern
ment.
A resolute intention TO insist upon
the freedom OF the seas was clearly
! expressed by President Wilson in his
tlast note TO Germany on the Lust
tania.
Germany does not interpret this 70
! refer 10 her own ships or the ships OF
any particular beliigerent. but to ships
owned by neutrals and sailing under
neutral hags.
She maintains. for instance. tina,
Great Britain should permit American
ships TO go wherever they please, ever
10 German ports. provided they do no,
carry contraband.
Germany expects tho United States &c
take steps 10 enforce this position upon
Great Britain.
The order making cotton contrabant
Is held by Germany TO be a deliberate
violation OF international law, from
which the United States and other neu,
trails vii! suffer as much as Germany.
Germany believes that the United
states. to be consistent with its Garlic,
declarations. vii! protest and fgh,
against this order.