New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-06
Washington Sees Ger
many's Refusal to Give
Pledge for Lusitania.
PACIFIC COURSE
NOW ABANDONED
Wilson. II Is Said, Attempting 10
Use Stronger Measures
Against. Berlin.
trrnm n. Tthun, Bureau. J


Washington, Dec. 6.-The friction
with Germany as result OF the oe-
msnd for the recall Of Captains Boy-Ed
and Won Papen is likely TO postpone IN
definitely, II 1t does not make impos-
sible. anv understanding In the Lusi-
tenia case, The Tribune learned TO-
night In some quarters Mr.. Lansings
action at this time is considered prae-
,ical admission Of defeat on the SUD
marine issue. These negotiations had
not so far resulted in any basis OF un-
derstanding which insured success
though they we're still far from dead
lock.
Tho recall cases rested unchanged
to-day. Secretary Lansing preserved
complete silence on all matters con-
nected with the German relations
Ambassador Won Bernstorf did the
same. Captain Boy-Ed, who came
down from New York yesterday, re-
turned to his post to-day. Captain Won
papen arrived during the day, and Is
expected to remain for several days.
Rumors persisted that vigorous ac-
ton of some kind would be taken with
In few days against others Of the
Austrian and German diplomatic forces
in this country. The Department OF JUS
tice has gathered a mass Of evidence IN
volving several such officers, and the
State Department has ample reason
for action if 1t wishes. There is some
question, however, whether it Is de-
sired at this time TO increase the ten
sion. 1t is practically admitted that
the recall OF a few agents will not 60
far toward breaking up the German
machinery here. and the administration
may be content 10 rest on the assertion
of its rights already made.
A Blow to Wilson.
The possibility Of a deadlock in the
Lusitania case was the subject Of wide
and serious discussion here to-day.
The administration has staked so much
on the success Of its diplomacy in
winning concessions from Germany,
and its supporters have been so jubilant
over the partial assurances given after
the sinking of the Arabic, that a failure
now TO reach some sort Of an under
standing to be presented TO Congress
and the nation as a diplomatic victory
would be a serious blow to Mr.. Wilson.
The recent killing OF helpless pas
sengers on the Ancona and the long
silence on the status of the Lusitsnia
negotiations had already begun to cause
suspicious that the administration had
been less successful than had appeared.
II the assurances that no more passen-
ger ships would be sunk without pro-
viding for the safety Of those on board
applied only TO Germany and would have
TO be reached all over again through
long debate with Austria. and then'
possibly. again with Turkey. their act
nal value was small. many declared,
Meanwhile no American could travel
with safety anywhere IN European
The doubts that were beginning to
he felt about the Lusitania case were
oven more disturbing. When the Arabic
case was settled by disavowal ana
promise Of reparation, accompanied oy
p pledge OF the future safety OF nom
combatants, il was heralded as assur-
ance of understanding OF all points at
issue. c.
But as time went on and Germany
failed TO answer the third of the notes
from this government, the question was
asked more and more insistently Just
what had been gained from Germany.
Meanwhile Mr. Lansing and Count Won
BernstortT we're in secret negotiations.
40 results of these have been an
nounced. and it is now believed that
the hard feeling resulting from the
Bov-Ed case will delay an understand
ing indefinitely.
No Concession Gained.
From a man in close touch with the
dinIomatic situation it is learned that
there has actually been no concession
made by Germany-that the negotia-
tions have not yet reached basis on
which a settlement is possible. The
Continued on pare ., column
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