The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-18

b preparing 10 renew her submaSine cam
paisn with Increased viGos.
WASHINGTON. Feb. li.-Secretary
Lansing refused to-day to accept Ger
many's lates, proposals for Il settlement
Of the Lusitania controversy.
He told Count Won Bernstorr that the
raied States could not accept these
proposals. either In whole or in part,
until Germany squares her recently pro-
claimed submarine decree with her past
Assurances to the United States re-
sarding her conduct Of submarine war
isr,
TIE Secretary subsequently charac-
,er!zei as absurd an afternoon story
vi, ou; from Washington that he had
accepted the German proposals on the
basis OF amends for what WAS past. but
sould reserve for separate consideration
the question OF future submarine war
fare
The Lusitania controversy, the Sec
n,sry made PLAN. cannot be divorced
from the whole question Of German sub
marine warfare. The demands of the
Ca.,ed states in this controversy, he
sad. were not intended merely to obtain
\ satisfaction for the single injury sus-
tanned by the attack on the Lusitania
bu, TO exat, from Germany pledges
which would for the rest OF the war
guarantee observance by her OF the
rules Of humanity and civilized naval
Narfar. Before d settlement is pos
sbt, he declared. these pledges must
b made TO stand out clear cut and
a,hout possibility Of misunderstand-
IS
4 Refusal Proba bic.
Germany. the Ambassador clearly in
hnat"d To- Mr.. Lansing. will probably
isus. 10 give unqualified assurances
'hst German submarines will not attack
armed enemy merchant ships without
Warning Although careful to explain
io the secretary that he could not speak
author'auvey tor his Government with
out further INSTRUCTIONS from Berlin. no
Expressed the belief that even though
Ills Government might assure the United
eia,es again that German submarines
''ll not attack unarmed ships without
warning, the Berlin Foreign ONCE
would rnder no circumstances promise
that submarines will warn armed ships
before attacking them unless the United
states Is able to obtain from the En-
en,e Powers a pledge that the guns on
such fnps will not be used against sub
marines
Ambassador Won BernstorfY did not
tstat' 70 inform Mr.. Lansing that the
No" German submarine decree. warn.
mg neltrals that armed enemy mer-
e0ant'neii are to he treated as warships
and attacked without warning. would
h'Ver have been issued except for the
memorandum which the Secretary OF
slate sent N tho Entente Powers pro-
,osing a nlodus rvendi under which
mere would he general disarmament
all merchant ships OF belligerent
Powers.
Tn' Ambassador reminded Mr.. Ian.
sog that IN holding that armed mer-
enah'rne1 we're b., regarded AS auxil-
Mry cruisers n German Government
vas Nirfns 90. 'arely on the position
snlrn N" Secret y took in his memo.
'ahdam - the Entente Allies.
New Exchanges PPObsbl
Prom now or. II is authoritatively
Ndted, rhe negotiations are likely 10 re-
apse into a series of new exchanges no:
Only between the United States and
Grmany. but between rhe United States
and the Entente Powers. Meantime. II
said, il IL possible that Germany may
Nisnnd in,ting into operation Oh and
a'fr February 20 the newly proclaimed
policy Of attacking all armed enemy
me-chan'men without warning.
Count Won Bernstorff has already sent
Berlin report on his conference
"-oay with Mr.. LANSING. reply Ia
ho' expected before next Tuesday. This
shswer, u is expected In German circles.
VII INSTRUCT the Ambassador TO inform
ms American Government that under
no circumstances can German Hubma-
Nhes undertake to warn armed enemy
merchant vessels In advance and assume
me obligations Of visit and search unless
assured 'ha, tho guns on the merchant
men vii not be- used against the sub
Marines
The reply, II is suggested. may be
mtde the means by which Mr.. lansing
vii either renew his disarmament pro.
r~als 10 the Entente Allies or obtain
rom chem the guarantees which Ger.
many would require.
" the Entente Allies agree to either
o' 'h'se proposals.. a prospect admittedly
aonhfn II Is expected that ~ whole
sen'rov"rsy could NJ speedily ended
Wvntr"Hc II Ia apprehended that the
sn''ed states will face the prospec,
.Nner OF pressing Germany for q settle.
seh, on this country's terms or OF hnd'
VIZ h"N At amy time confronted witt
soeN and graver crisis growing out vi
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