New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-08
Will Not Press U-BOat Dis.
pute Unless More Amer
leans Lose Lives.
From Tie Tribune Bureau

IN rom lhe Iroune Bursu
Washington. March President
Wilson believes his hands are now free
TO prosecute the case against Germany
Immediately before him is the question
Of accepting or rejecting Count Won
Bernstorf's proposed settlement Of
the Lusitania controversy.
Won Bernstorf presented his govern
ment's offer TO recognize liability" to
pay indemnity few days after
the announcement of the new subma-
rine policy. Though acceptable in it,
self, Germany's proposal cannot be ac-
ceptsd because Of the Presidents belief
that no guarantee now exists that the
Lusitania outrage will not be repeated
The Lusitania case is, therefore,
closely bound up with the new issue
raised by the announced intention OF
the German government to sink armed
merchantmen without regard TO their
rights under international law. In re-
jecting the Lusitania offer. President
Wilson will be obliged to register the
protest of this government against the
proposed campaign of lawlessness.
Order Inyalidates Concession.
How the question is to be approached
the State Department has not yet de-
cided. Secretary Lansing intimated to-
DAY that he might be Obliged TO wait
until q concrete case had arisen that
is, until Germany sinks a vessel lie
gslly, under such circumstances az TO
threaten the rights Of the United States
or its citizens. II is pointed out. how
ever, that the Lusitania case still is
pending, and that Mr. Lansing is Justi-
fed in calling the attention OF the
German government 10 the fact that It's
first CONCESSION" assurance given
last October that the crime would not
be repeated-has been inyalidated by
the new submarine order.
As officials here see 1t. the State De-
partment il az sea on the whole ques-
ton. President Wilson has assumed
personal control of negotiations, but
because of the situation in Congress
he has not had time 70 advise Secretary
Lansing as 70 the course he intends 10
pursue.
/, is known the President has passed
Judgment on the secret orders" which
are a part Of the German submarine
declaration and are alleged 20 Justify
the German position that merchantmen
"armed for defence" do not exist. The
President sees no hint Of offensive ac-
ton in the secret orders, and will hold
that they do not excuse the extreme
measures Germany proposes.
Colonel House is understood 20 have
assured President Wilson that Ger
many is not bluffng, that the new sub
marine Programme will be carried cut
whether the United States approves Of
il or not, and that no more "conces-
sions" will be made in the Lusitania
case.
Rejection May Bring Break.
II, therefore, the President carries
out his plan Of rejecting the latest
Lusitania settlement and denouncing
the German submarine declaration as
illegal. he will do so in the belief that
he is heading toward rupture.
Among his friends the President IA
said 70 be ready 70 break with Germany
rather than surrender on the issue
that has just been Tough. out with
Congress 10 triumphant conclusion.
Il is generally admitted that until
the commission Of an overt act By
German submarine the breaking point
will not be approached The Lusitania ia
case. as an element Of. danger TO the
good relations Of the two governments.
is q dead issue. Similarly, u IS incon-
ceivable that either the President or
the German government would force
break on the abstract question OF the
right OF merchantmen 10 arm.
There are two factors Of safety in
the situation. One is the possibility
that Germany will conduct the U-boat
war along far more conservative lines
than her announcement az frat blush
would indicate. This course is fore
shadowed in the promise that vessels
will not be torpedoei under the new or
der unless armament is proved"
Should case arise in which the
President would have no choice but TO
act. il - considered probable Germany
would ask time 20 examine the EVIL
dence, to determine whether the arms-
ment was actually offensive or defen-
sive. II the evidence adduced b. the
United States showed no offensive use
was made Of the guns. il is more than
likely that Germany would disavow the
act and that the dissyowal, would be
accepted.