New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-22
Lansing Tells ENJOYS
u. 5. Expects Frankness


Washington. Dec 2l.- Secretary Lan
sing. 100 calling 10 the dipiomh'o ~
.csortat,cs or the gerehs 10 NC
Is understood 70 have made IL cieai "
them Individually that the nv,
states expected the replies OF nc
governments 70 be absolutely iranh -
all details. The idea was gathered 'nH,
the United States was looking lot"Al
10 forming itself into clearing hoU ls'
q, least for views. and probably io'
terms. .bo.
The general understanding was ina
'he purpose OF this explanation was ~
c.able the ENJOYS 10 communicate "a
heir own government. tho underIyint.
purpose OF the Presidents action ~
his time. Further. the opinion pre-,
vailed that the United States expected
20 be fully informed OF all terms IN
Guiding those relating 10 TERRITORY
Terms TO BE Secret
II = Felt in various diplomatic guar
ters that while statements regarding
terms. especially those concerning ter
ritorv. might readily be passed along
by the United States. they must not, u
the nesot iations are 20 have the slign'-
es. chance OF success. he conveyed %
tho public generally. Should definite
territorial terms be made public % IS
feared certain section Of public opin-
ion in the countries affected would 10
mert additional barrassments.
The world diplomatic crisis seemed
temporarily moved TO Washington dur
ing the dsv because Of the President
note. Secretary Lansing's comment and
~ 4 N Z y (OTpg 10
understand the American purpose. by
noon all the ranking diplomats from the
belligerent countries had called at the
State Department. necessitates for the
first time in months extreme care To
prevent meetings between representa-
,ives from hostile states.
The Presidents note was declard TO-
dav 10 be "hit around the whole
circle" without intention Of favornG or
condemning either belligerent group 20
the prejudice Of the other Neverthe-
less. cersin facts are cited as indicating
beyond doubt where the chief tension
lies AT present in the relations OF TINS
country As between the two groups.
Relations with Entente
With the Entente, apart from little
trouble over Count Tarnowski, II was
pointed out there mas DeeH no PuD4iH', "
diplomatic correspondence for months.
This country owes replies on both the
blacklist and the mail. seizures. Trade
matters have been very veHing, but
have largely been settled out OF court
without publicity.
Toward the Central Powers. how
ever. and particularly in the last month,
a decided feeling of tension has been
evident in the sending of about a
dozen inquiries on submarine slnkngs,
followed by publication OF the detail S
and also by correspondence on the
Belgian deportstions.
IL became evident that 1t is on the
sea it is feared this country may be
caught between conflicting beiligerent
interests. Lloyd Georges statements
that all British ships will be nation
allied. together with the apparently
official German decision 70 treat such
ships as liable 10 sinking on sight, has
led to the growing conviction. that It
will be essential for the safety OF
Americans. both passengers and ssilors'
to lay down some fat distinctions as to
what are private ships and what are
naval auXlllarles.