Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-12-21
German Official Action Delay
ed by Recent 0utburst Of
Public Feeling.
RECALL OF EMBASSY
ATTACHES ONE CAUSE
Note to Austria Also Has Made I'm.
mediate Accession to American
Demands Unlikely.

Full settlement OF the Lusitania
case, including reparation for the
lives of the American victims,
which, it became known today,
recently was near, has been
postponed by the dismissal of the
German naval and military at
taches and the American demands
on Austria-Hungary as result OF
the sinking of the Ancona.
Consideration of the state of public
opinion in Germany because of these
two acts of the American government,
according to reliable information re-
ceived here, has caused officials in Ber-
lin to decide that such settlement as
might be satisfactory to the United
States would not now meet with popu-
lar approval in Germany.
Public Once for United States.
An agreement, 1t was said, was prac-
tically reached soon after the Ameri-
can mote to Great Britain protesting
against Interference with neutral trade
had been published in Germany The
note, it is said. created a remarkable
pro-American sentiment in Berlin as
well as throughout Germany.
At that time, it is said, public opinion
would have approved receding bit,
making a settlement of the controversy
possible. Negotiations between Secre-
tary Lansing and Count Won Bern
storff, the German amba ssador. were
progressing, when the United States
demanded the withdrawal of Capt
Boy-Ed and Capt. Won Papen.
This act, according to advices here,
caused German public opinion to 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
Resentment Increased.
The demands upon Austria and the
vigorous terms in which the frm 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 trifle at this time.
Berlin officials were said to believe,
would bring on a storm of public dis
approval and furnish the opposition to
the government with grounds FOR
criticism. Officials now believe that at
some time in the future, when the pub
lie opinion again is more favorable to
the United States, concessions may be
made by Germany. German officials are
said to be convinced that an indemnity
for the Americans lost on the Lusi-
tania and something in the nature of a
disavowal will be the only measures
to satisfy the United States. They are
also said to feel that the best dis
avowal which can be given was the
promise not to repeat such an act,
which had already been given.
Facts May Never Be Known.
Actually how near an agreement Count
Won Bernstorf and Secretary Lansing
were before the dismissal of the attaches
may never be known. they have mutual
agreement not TO discuss the negotiations
in any way. 1t is believed, however, that
the lbassador was about to make or
had made some sort of a proposal which
might have met with the full or partial
approval of the United States. A num-
be- &C propositions had been submitted
by both sides at various stages of the
negotiations.
The statement that the negotia tions
have been delayed for the time is
strengthened by the fact that Secretary
Lansing has not discussed the Lusitania
case with Count Won Bernstorf since the
request for the recall of the attaches be-
came public Furthermore, no communi-
cations upon the subject bave passed be-
tween the Secretary and the ambassador.