The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-02-07
WILL AGREE
ON LUSITANIA
Is the Belief in Washington
Now - Substitute
for Illegal
GERMANY PROPOSES
A NEW PHRASE
That Washington Officials
Consider Will Cover
the Ground

/ NdsHlH8luils ItOs ts--IOi bhV NbiH -
legal,a which Germany was unwilling to
incorporate in the tentative draft Of the
Lustania agreement, the Berlin foreign
officeh as substituted phrase which GER
tain high authorities in position to be
familiar with the status OF the negotia-
tons consider covers all the principles in
volved in the question OF submarine war
| fare.
The language substituted for the oh
jectionable word "illegal" in a tentative
communication now being considered by
President Wilson, AYERS that the killing
of Americans in the Lusitania disaster
was without intent because the destruc
ton of the Cunard liner was an act of
reprisal and the German government
agrees that reprisal should not be applied
to neutrals.
From various diplomatic and official
quarters Saturday night came the infor
nation that the outlook is promising for
an early settlement. 1t was Indicated
that the tentative form of settlement
which, should it prove acceptable to the
United States, win be embodied in
formal communication from Germany,
approaches nearer the desires of the
United States than any yet submitted
with authority of Berlin officials. Sec
rotary Lansing and Count Won Bern
storff, the German ambassador, met quite
informally in the Metropolitan club at
Washington. They talked for a short
time.
The cardinal points of the tentative
form of settlement were obtained Satur-
day night. The agreement is prcfaced
with the statement that submarine war
fare in the North sea was inauglrated
by Germany in retaliation for what she
as "the illegal" British blockade
under the orders in council. 1t then
states that the method Of conducting
submarine warfare in the North sea has
been modified on account of the friend
ship Germany has for the United States
and because of the fact that American |
lives have been lost, Germany says the J
killing of Americans was not intended |
because reprisals should not be applied to !
and in addition to expressing |
regret for the loss of American lives as |
sumes liability and offers reparation in |
the form of indemnity. The last portion I
Of the document expresses the readiness |
Of Germany to cooperate with the United 1
States in any effort looking toward the
freedom of the seass
Secretary Lansing sent the draft to
President Wilson Friday night. He at
first planned to see the president Satur
lay and discuss the draft with him. Lat
n, however, the plans were changed, and
t was said Saturday night that the sec
etary would not confer with the presi-
lent until Monday unless there should be
unforeseen developments. Count Won
3ernstorf expects to be called to the
tate department some time to-day or
Tuesday. Secretary Lansing allowed il
o become known Saturday that he
night have some announcement on the
case to make within the next
ew days.
In view of the nature Of the phrase
Which the German government Is Under
TODD to have substituted so as not to in
lude the word "illegap in connection !
With the killing of neutrals, attention ,
ras called Saturday night to the last /.
ormal note to Germany, in which Sec
etary Lansing wrote: "In view of the !
omission of illegalty made by the i'm
erial government when it pleaded the
ight of retaliation in defense of its acts
nd in view of the manifest possibility l
( conforming TO the established rules Of !.
warfare, the government of :
ne United States cannot believe that the
nperial government win longer refrain
-om disavowing the wanton act of its :
avail commander in sinking the Lusi-
mia"
1t was asserted Saturday that the
ate department had shown complete l,
,adiness to fall in line with Germany's /,
eas so far as it could without sacrifc- o
e the main issues involved. officials "
'e described as having been moved to n
'me extent by consideration for the D
ternal political situation in Germany Il
i'd the recognized danger to the present: O
erman cabinet of strengthening the O.
lnds of a powerful minority party il
hich from the beginning has advocated
e extreme views Of Admiral Won Tir +,
tz regarding the entire question of sub f,
airline warfare. Ia
German officials at Washington are in OF
cord with the official opinion expressed Al
Berlin Friday that The government N,
lieves it has gone as far as it possibly Al
n to bring its viewpoint. in line with lie
at Of the United States and that Count 50
IN Bernstorff has exercised the limit Of al
e authority conferred upon him in ar
!. L L