Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-12-21
Full Settlement in Lusitania
Affair Delayed by Late
Developments.
PUBLIC NOT IN ACCORD
German Government Says
It's People Made Bitter by
u. S. Contentious.

Washington. D. c., Dec. 21.-Fun
settlement of the Lusitania case, in
Guiding reparation for the lives of the
American victims, which it became
known today, recently was near. has
been posi- poued by the dismissal of the
German naval and military attaches
and the American demands on Aus
iTla-Huugary as Il result of the sinking
Of the AGcona.
Consideration of the state of public
opinion iu Germany because of these
two acts Of the American government,
according 20 reliable information re-
ceiyed here, has caused officials in
Berlin TO decide that such a settle
ment as might be satisfactory TO the
United States would not now meet
with popular approval in Germany.
Recalls Upset Public Mind.
An agreement, it was said, was prac-
tcaly reached soon after the Amer
lean note to Great Britain protesting
against Interference with neutral
trade had been published in Germany.
The note. it is said, created a remark
able pro-American sentiment in Ber-
lin as well as throughout Germany. At
that time. it is said, public opinion
would have approved receding a bit,
making a settlement Of the contro-
versy possible Negotiations between
Secretary Lansing aud Count Won
Bernstorf. the German ambassador,
we're progressing when the United
States demanded rhe withdrawal Of
Captain Boyd and Captain Won Pa
pen.
That act, according TO advices here,
caused German opinion 10 swing back
to resentment of the action Of the
United States, because the belief pre-
vailed that the attaches had done moth
ing TO warrant their removal.
Austro Controversy flinders.
The demands on Austria and the
vigorous terms in which the first note
was couched next attracted adverse
criticism in Germany, and the resent
ment, started by the request for the re-
calls is described as having increased
materially.
To recede even a trife at this time,
Berlin officials were said to believe,
would bring on d storm of public dis
approval and furnish the opposition to
the government with grounds for criti-
cism officials now believe that at
some time in the future when public
opinion again is more favorable to the
United States, concessions may be
made by Germany. German officials
are said to be convinced that an in
qemnity for the Americans lost on the
Lusitania and something in the nature
Of a disavowal will be the only meas
ures TO satisfy the United States. They
are also said to feel that the hest dis
ayowal which can be given was the
promise not to repeat such an act,
which already has been given.
Agreement Was Near.
Just how near TO an agreement
Count Won Bernstorff and Secretary
Lansing were before the dismissal OF
ne attaches may never be known.
lhey have a mutual agreement not to
discuss the negotiations in any way.
II Is believed, however, that the am
oaSsador was about to make, or had
made some sort of proposal which
might have met with the full or partial
j approval of the United States. A num-
DER OF propositions had been submitted
by both sides at various stages of the
Negotiations.
The statement that the negotiations
nave been delayed for the time Is
strengthened by the fact that Secretary
Lansing has not discussed the Lusi-
'shia case with Count Won Bernstorff
SINCE the request for the recall of the
attaches by the republic. Also. no
communications on the subject have
passed between the secretary and the
ambassador.