New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-09

which will be sufficient 20 delay pro
ceedings a few weeks, during which
time this government might obtain
some concessions from Great Britain.
Germany would then, according to this
plan. offer TO concede a little more,
again waiting for England to yield an
equal amount of ground.
Aiming at British Blockade.
Thus, il is thought, Germany might
hope 10 force Great Britain into for
saking her blockade step by step, and
at the same time hold the submarine
menace until the last demand had been
acceded to.
Persons acquainted with the situa-
ton believe that the German proposal
TO discuss the terms of her reply in
formally before it's final delivery was
primarily an attempt TO prepare public
opinion for an indecisive note. On no
other theory, il is said. could Ger
manys action be explained Until
this proposal was received there was
general belief that the reply would
mark decided advance toward final
settlement of the difficulty, and to have
sent disappointing note with the
public mind in that attitude would, 1t
is held have been dangerous 10 the in
terests of good feeling.
II is expected chat this government
will look with great disfavor on any
attempt Of Germany TO temporize or to
cloud the issue by illusions to other
negotiations in which this government
is involved. Officials believe a note
of such a character would be answered
very promptly. with a refusal to dis
cusS the matter in that light
Irrespective of suggestions made as
10 the future conduct of German sub
marines, as suggested in the prelim-
mary draft of the German reply, one
of the chief causes of the pessimlsm
felt here is the treatment TO be ac-
corded the LuSitania tragedy.
Originally the United States pointed
out that the German submarine com
manders must have Inexperienced
their instructions and could not have
intended to sink the vessel without
warning. The last German note in
| reply contended that the vessel was
armed, was an auxiliary cruiser, and
therefore could not be treated as a
peaceful merchantmen. After the
| United States submitted official infor-
nation that the Lusitanla not only
was unarmed, but did not attempt 10
] resist NlSlL ana search, the herman
| government, it is now understood, has
taken the position that there was nc
! intention to sacrifice non-combatants
the view Of the German commander
/ being that the vessel would be difficult
and slow TO sink, and that there would
I be ample opportunity TO remove pas
sengers to place of safety.
The United States said in its first
note that reparation would be sought
| for the sacrifice of Americans on the
/ Lusitania. but Germany has denied LA
| bility for the occurrence.
! Mystery in Conferences.
officials here declined to explain the
/ mystery OF the informal conferences
| between Ambassador Gerard and off
Gals of the German Foreign Office
I They indicated that the message from
l the Ambassador transmitting an out
/ line of the German note did not state
specifically that he had been asked &c
/ obtain the views OF the American gov
eminent. II appeared that he asked n
/ there were any Instructions, and die
/ so because the draft was placed in HI.
/ hands in advance Of its completion.
According to officials familiar with