The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-02-06
Now That Germany Has Sub
stituted a Phrase for the
Word illegal"
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- WASHINGTON, Feb. 5.-For the
word illegal" which Germany was
unwilling to incorporate in the ten
tative draft OF the Lusitania agree
ment, the Berlin foreign office has
substituted a phrase which certain
high authorities in a position TO be
familiar with the status OF the nego-
tiations consider covers all the prin-
ciples involved in the question Of
submarine warfare.
The language substituted for the
Objectionable word Illegal in a
tentative communication now being
considered by President Wilson AYERS
that the killing of Americans in the
tLusitania disaster was without in
5tent, because the destruction OF the
3Cunard liner was an act OF reprisal
and the German government agrees
that reprisals should not be applied
to neutrals
Bright Outlook.
From various diplomatic officials
tonight came the information that
the outlook is promising for an early
settlement. 1t was indicted that the
tentative form OF settlement. which
should it prove acceptable 10 the
United States. will be embodied in a
formal communication from Germany
approaches nearer the desires of the
United States than any yet submitted
with authority from Berlin officials.
Secretary Lansing and Count Won
Bernstorff, the German a m bassador,
met quite informally In the Metropol-
titan Club here today. They talked
for a short time. Although it was
not disclosed just what was said,
there was no intimation that the am
bassador had been informed that he
might have TO communicate with his
government on the subject again. In
fact. the ambassador seemed extra
ordinarily optimistic at the conclus-
ion OF the talk.
The cardinal points Of the tenta-
tive form OF settlement were obtain
ed tonight. The agreement is pre-
faced with the statement that sub
marine warfare in the North sea was
inaugurated by Germany in retalia-
ton for what it regarded as the Ill
legal" British blockade under the
orders in council. II then states that
the method Of conducting submarine
warfare in the North sea has been
modified on account OF the friendship
Germany has for the United States
and because OF the fact that Ameri-
can lives have been lost. Germany
says that the killing OF Americans
NvQG mi fnfnnnnH hannugn ~ .; 90 L., Q
should not be applied to neutrals,
and in addition to expressing regret
for the loss of American lives. as
sumes liability, and offers reparation
in the form of indemnity.
Ready to Cooperate.
The last portion Of the document
expresses the readiness of Germany
to cooperate with the United States
in any effort looking toward the free
dom of the seas.
Secretary Lansing sent the draft
to President Wilson last night. lac
at first planned TO see the president
today and discuss the draft with him.
Later, however, the plans were
changed, and it was said tonight that
the secretary would not confer with
the president until Monday unless
there should be unforeseen develop
ements. Count Won Bernstorff asks
to be called TO the state department
some time Monday or Tuesday. Sec
rotary Lansing allowed it to become
known today that he might have
some announcement on the L~usitania
case to make within the next few
days.
What Lansing Wrote.
In view of the nature Of the phrase
which the German government is I'M
derstood to have substituted so as
not to include the word illegal in
connection with the killing Of neu-
trails. attention tonight was called
TO the last formal note to Germany
in which Secretary Lansing wrote:
In view OF the admission Of IL
legality made by the imperial gov
eminent when it pleaded the right
OF retaliation in defense OF its acts,
and In view Of the manifest POSSIBLE
ity OF conforming to the established
rules Of international warfare. the
government OF the United States
cannot believe that the imperial gov
eminent will longer refrain from dis
avowing the wanton act of its naval
commander on sinking the Lusi-
tania."
1t was asserted today that the
state department had shown a COM
plete readiness to fall in line with
Germany's Ideas so far as 1t could
without sacrificing the main issues
). involved. Officials are described as
having been moved 10 some extent
by a consideration for the interna-
tIonal
Political Situation
in Germany and the recognized dan