New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-17
PATIENCE NEAR
BREAKING POINT
Count Won BernStorff
Urges That U. S. Act
as Mediator.
TALKS WITH LANSING
President Finishes First Draft of
His Reply to Kaiser's Note
on Lusitania.
From The Trihune Bureau. ]

on LuSltdnld.
From The Tribune Bureau
Washington, July l6.--The note to
Germany being prepared by Secre-
tary of State Lansing will be an un-
compromising summons to the Ger
man government for an immediate
and unequivocal response to the de-
mands of this government. This was
indicated very clearly to-day by
officials who are intimately connected
with the negotiations.
It was strongly intimated that the
State Department is fast losing
patience with the unresponsiveness
of the German government on the
points at issue. and will insist that
Germany lay aside all irrelevancie5
and confine herself TO the direct
demands made in the previous Amer
ican notes.
These demands are three--that
Germany make reparation for Amer
ican losses incidental to the sinking
of the Lusitania; that she disavow
the act, and that. assurances be
given for the safety Of American
lives and property in accordance
with international law governing tho
high seas. Germany has given no
, formal answer to any of these.
Belief in the firm and unyielding
character of the note gained ground
after the visit of Count Won Bern
storff, German Ambassador, TO Sec
retary Lansing this morning. The
ambassador urged the adoption Of
the suggestion in the German note
that this country act as mediator
between Great Britain and Germany
for the freedom of the seas.
Secretary Lansing listened politely
to this proposal, but intimated to
Count Won Bernstorff that no action
would be taken by this government
which might tend to complicate the
situation.
Silent as TO Note.
The Ambassador called on the Seere-
tary informally, and had no definite in
structions from his government. Some
officials believe his real object was 70
get an inkling of the character Of the
coming American note. II so, he had
his trouble for his pains, for Secretary
Lansing sealed his lips whenever tho
conversation approached that subject.
1t is generally thought the Kaiser Is
willing TO comply with the American
demands, but that public opinion in
Germany will not permit it. This be-
lief has caused the suggestion tnat an
agreement might be reached through
diplomatic channels by which this gov
ernment would receive the desired as
surances without forcing Germany to
express them publicly in a note.
Secretary Lansing rejected this
idea when asked about it tonight, in
timating that no such course was beine
considered. Germany will be asked tc
make her disavowsls and assurances
publicly in a forssl note TO this gov
eminent.
Mr.. Lansing explained 70 Count vor
Bernstorff that the theory Of the free
dom of the seas appealed strongly e
this government. He reminded th'
Ambassador, however, that an effort e
bring about a joint understanding be
tween England and Germany On Tho
question, so that both countries would
stop interfering with neutral com
merce. had failed when made a shori
time ago.
Talks Taller than II Acts"
II is understood the Ambassador told
the Secretary about the attitude o'
Germany on submarine warfare dis
closed in The Tribune on Monday
that while she could not give open as
surances 10 this government that snt
would torpedo no more passenger ships
because of the feeling OF the herman
people on the subject. nevertheless an
) order had been issued Immediately
! after the sinking Of the Lusitanla that
no more passenger ships should be tor
pedoed. The German government, ne
is understood to have said, was forced
10 talk taller than il acted" because oil
the attitude of the Germans.
The important bearing the Neoraskar
case is expected to have on negotiation:
concerning the Lusitania is shown by
the fact that the German apology wa:
Immediately telegrsphed TO President
Wilson. Offcials believe il is the most
, serious complication that has been IN
troduced into the situation.
The Nebraskan incident is not con-
sidered in any sense closed by the Ger
man memorandum Many officials be
lieve it has just been opened. While
Germany's voluntary offer of repara
tion is what would have been demanded
had the United States initiated th'
. proceedings, the explanation offered b!
! the German government could not b
accepted without giving away the who'll
case OF the Lusitania.
officials point out that the GsrmS