The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-01-08
TENSION RELIEVED
WHEN NOTES CAME
One Proposing to Pay Indemnity for
American Lives Lost on the Lusi-
tania, Other to Instruct Sub
marine Commander to
Give Warning of
Attack.

Washington, ID. c., Jan. S.-Two COM
lmunications from Germany reached the
United States yesterday-one contain
ing proposal TO pay an indemnity
for the Americans lost in the Lusitania
disaster, which may bring negotiations
on that subject to a conclusion, and the
other conveying assurances that German
submarines commanders, operating in
the Mediterranean would snot torpedo
non'combatant ships of any character
without warning them and according
safety to their passengers and crews.
| The communications were delivered to
Secretary Lansing by Count Won Berns-
| torif, the German ambassador The Sec
retary Immediately sent them to Presi-
dent Wilson.
Tension regarding the entire subma-
rine question seemed to have lessened
considerably. Austria, in its reply TO
the last Ancona note, having assured
the United States of its intentions to
operate submarines with due regard for
international law and the principles of
humanity, Turkey and Bulgaria it is
understood next will take steps to give
such guarantees. 1t is stated authorita-
lively that Germany and Austria Hun
gary will use their influence to accom-
piish this end.
The Lusitania controversy, except for
the wording of the agreement to be en-
tered into, is considered in Teutonic cir
cles here virtually ended
Under the terms of the proposal sub |
mitted for the approval OF the United
States, Germany, while offering to pay |
an indemnity, makes the reservation that |
no admission of wrongdoing thereby is |
involved. 1t is contended that the Lusi-
tania was sunk as an act of reprisal for /
the British blockade of Germany.
While Secretary Lansing is understood
not to have indicated to Count Won
Bernstorif whether the proposal was sat
isfactory, number of officials in po-
sition to be familiar with the American
attitude indicated that it would be ac-
cepted.
The assurance regarding the conduct
Of submarine warfare in the Alediter-
ranean obviously prompted by the sink
ing of the British steamship Persia, with
1 loss of two American lives, are much
broader in their scope than the prom
ses made after the Lusitania disaster
covering the operations of submarines in
the North sea and adjacent waters. The !
after guaranteed only that "liners"
should be immune from attack without
The assurance regarding the
operations include pri
Fately owned ships of every character, I
reight as well as passenger vessels, pro- I
'ided of course, they do not attempt to '
scape or offer resistance. J
1t was revealed yesterday, too, that
n the reply to the last note regarding I
he William 7. Frye, the Berlin foreign !
flee agreed with the American view !
hat small boats cannot under all con- \
itions be considered place of safety
or persons leaving ship about to be I
ttacked. n
The German government, apparently :
ot certain whether German submarine II
ank the Persia, promised the United G
tates in yesterdays communication 5
hat should it develop that such was e
he case the matter will be investigated 9
nd submitted TO prize court proceedings,
nd that if the commander disobeyed
is orders he win be punished and repar- 7
tion made for the death of or injuries 9
, American citizens. L
Consideration of the German assur-
nee and of the apparent attitude of .
ustria Hungary as reflected in dis y
atches from Ambassador Penfield at y
Jenna, led officials to believe that the l
mixing of the Persia might not result ?
difficulties so grave as at first were $, $,
AIRED. Information regarding the cir
INSTANCES of the Persia still was lack. 6
g last night. te
1t was made clear at the state depart
ent yesterday that the position of the q
nited States in regard to Americans q q,
wing right to travel on merchant =
lips regardless of whether they were GO
med for defense had not been changed. "