Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1915-07-30
GERMANY WILLING To
ACCEDE INFORMALLY?
EASTERN PAPER ~pECELATE~ A.
To oRAL AGREEMENT on
pOiNT>, Vt ISSUE.
special TO The Christian science Moni-
tor from its Washington Burcnu.

.0lN l - Al 1881 L..
SperioI to Ihc Christian science Noni-
tor from its Washington Burcnu.
WASHINGTON-This bureau gets
the information that in a supreme
effort to find way out of the present
difficulty a compromise plan has been
submitted TO the German govern
ment from Washington. 1t is COM
promise only as to modus vivendi, it
is understood, and does not yield any
thing of the American stand for in
ternational law as expressed in for
mer notes.
Germany is willing TO accede to
the American demands, the bureau is
informed, if she can do so by deed
instead of by word. If the United
States will be satisfied with actual
modification of Germany's submarine
warfare and will not demand for
NAL public expression of Germany's
intention to acquiesce, there is rea-
son to believe that a solution of the
difficulty may be reached.
The German government may take
advantage of the remark made to
newspaper men by Secretary Lam
sing a few days ago to the effect that
oral assurances would be satsfac-
tory, and give such assurances as are
asked for the protection of American
lives and commerce on the high seas.
This would satisfy the United States
government without committing Ger
many publicly SO Germany's enemies
would not have the advantage of
knowing what Germany proposed to
do in the future.
Germany Wants Mediation.
Germany still urges mediation of
the whole submarine and blockade
controversy by the United States as
the real solution of the problem, but
manifestly some tentative under
standing must be reached with Ger
many before this government will
consent to approach Great Britain
with mediation proposition.
Germany, there is reason to be-
lieve, is ready to quit torpedoing pas
senger ships without warning, though
she does not want to pledge herself
publicly to this course of action. AS
matter Of fact the German subma-
rines have been following this prac-
tice ever since the Lusitania was
sunk, according to the bureaus in
formant. -- .q-y, -, =, aa aAfs
It may be that Germany, without
saying so publicly, will assure the
United States government that it in
tends in the future to continue this
practice and that passenger ships OF
whatever nationality will not be tor
pedoed before the passengers have
had opportunity to get out. unless
ships offer resistance or attempt to
escape. Secretary Lansing frequent
ly has taken the position that resist
ance or attempt to escape is justifica-
ton for torpedoing.
Legal Positions Conflict.
The two governments have about
become convinced that their legal po-
sitions are irreconcilable on the face
of things. The United States de-
mands recognition of the right OF
American citizens to travel in safety
on the high seas on ships of any ma
tionality; Germany comedies immu-
nifty to American ships but will not
yield as to enemy ships carrying mu-
nitions of war to be protected from
attack merely by the presence on
board of American citizens.
The first thing. however, is to settle
the Lusitania case. Germany, &C.
cording to the informant, does not
want to disavow the act, because this
would pledge her to different
course in the future. A formula for
Germany to follow in the Lusitania
matter, satisfactory to the United
States, is now being sought.
Trade Ralance More Than billion.