New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-10
Merely to Assume"
Is Not Enough,
He Declares.
SAY GERMANY
WILL ACCEDE
TeutOns Call Case Ended
Secretary May With
draw Demand.
From TIE r1blue Bureau !

Washington. Feb. 9.-Greater dit-
ficulties stand in the way Of set
tlement with Germany than wa, at
first supposed. Although officials
are confident, both at the State De
partment and the embassy, that an
agreement will be reached without
further quibbling, it became known
to-day that Germany had been asked
fer a further concession" which.
some officials say, may cause her to
balk.
The German government as
sumes' liability for indemnity" is
the language of the draft presented
to Secretary Lansing last Friday.
The Secretary has asked that it De
altered to read recognizes" or
admits" liability. Many officials
who have followed the negotiations
closely say this may prove new
sticking point.
1t is not known how far the STATE
Department will 90 in pressing this
Eoint. Since Yesterdays announce
aent that 'ap agreement had been
made possible" by the ambassador
memorandum. Secretary Lansing has
refused to discuss the question. In
dications are. however. that he put
the amendment forward more as
suggestion than as demand, and
should Germany show an unfriend,y
sririt in replying TO the request he
night consider Withdrawing It.
Wanted No Further Admission.
lie is understood to believe that the
same idea IS expressed elsewhere IN
the note. and u was therefore rathet
20 bring the different passages into
harmony than to draw any further al
mission from Germany that he sug
gested the amendment.
81, will be mistake II this govern
mcnt permits the word assumes 20
stand in the note" said an official TO
day while believe tho dissvowsl
IS complete without reference 70 that
word. it sticks out disconccrtingly IN
an otherwise satisfactory note. II IA
Of no value 20 Germany. but IL does
form a peg on which lot Of criticism
can be hung in this country.
This government hes maintained
that Germany responsibility for in
dcmnity existed from the moment the
Lusitanis was sunk The German note
grants the justice Of that contention.
The word assumes is therefore ridicu-
lous."
In German quarters any suggestion
Of difficulty over the point is brushed
aside. 1T is all mere matter OF
formslities now.' is an expression fre-
quently heard
In Washington generally, however,
though the belief prevails that the
Lusitanis case is as good as settled,
there is little interest IN tho terms OF
settlement. The prevailing sentiment
Is one Of rolief rather than Of rejoicing.
It is apparent that officials Of al
branches of The Administration believe
that the sooner the Lusitsnia case Is
forgotten thc better.
/. :. Content .ith a Draw.
The idea Of diplomatic victory"
has vanished when the Arabic dis
syoWsl was received. tho Administrs
ton was ready to advertise IL as an
sccompli rhment. Bu, officials appar-
erty arc willing n the present situ-
stion 20 call the battle a draw and 20
g}c Count .on BcrHtorT credit for
bringing about an adjustment tina, dis
honors neither nation.
Let Germany have the opprobrium
for the crime. and lot me United States
be glad that II ha' not been made a
party 70 IT, seems 10 be the spirit in
which official " Washington accepts the
settlement.
The fear that Count Won Bernstorf
would use his "disavoWal' as lever
with which 20 move the Administration
agains. Great Britain has been very
largely dissipsted among Administra-
ton officials. Not only will the Presi.
dents plan Of campa gn against Brit
ism restraints on commerce not be
altered By the Lusitania settlement. II
is said. but leaders IN Congress have
given their assurance 10 the White
House that efforts 10 force the Presi-
dents hand will be checkmated
I'm diplomatic circles friendly TO IN.
Entente. however. II Is declared ths,
the President mas already given Ger
many an ample reward for her compl-
anee with the Lusitania demands in hsA