Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1916-01-20
REJECTS PLAN IN
LUSITAN|A CASE
United States Declines to
Let Berlin Make
Reserves
ANOTHER PLAN SOON
Ftt.i ! f.,
Next Proposal Expected TO Put Mat
ter on Similar Ground to the Case
of the Arabic.

of the Arabic. -,
/ Washington, Jan. 20.-Germany's
proposal to incorporate in the settle
ment of the Lustania case reser-
vation of any admission Of wrong
doing by her submarine commander
is understood to have been rejected
by the United States. A new proposal
from the Berlin Government is en-
pected momentarisy, howevee and
there is possibility that the con-
troversy may be closed by the elm
ination of all mention of the merits
or demerits of the actual torpedoing
of the vessel, Germany agreeing TO
pay an indemnity for the American
lives lost, reterating expressions OF
regret and calling attention, directly
or by inference, to the contention that
she already has given the most ef
fectve disavowal by making assur-
ances for the future.
If in the new proposition there
should be another such reservation or
any attempt to justify the sinking OF
the Lusitania on the ground that the
act constituted reprisal in retalia-
ton for the British blockade of Ger
many, that also probably will be re-
iected. There were indications tonight
however, that Germany believes that
the United States might, under GER
tain circumstances, accept proposa!
omitting mention Of the Legality or
illegaity Of the act. One of Il some
what similar nature resulted in an
agreement over the sinking of the
steamship Arabic.
Because the negotiations, by mutual
agreement. are held to be contiden-
tial by officials Of the State Depart
ment and the German Embassy, it
has not been disclosed just how fara
proposal of this character would go
toward complete settlement salts
factory to both sides, or whether the
United States is prepared to insist
upon Germany admitting in so many
words that the torpedoing Of the
LuSitania was unjustfable.
There are, it is said numerous OBJ
jections to accepting a form of set
tlement, which, by going into dis
cusSion of the broad questions involv-
ed, might serve as an undesirable
precedent in future. Such Il form
is understood to have been suggested
in the most recent proposal submit
ted by Germany through !Ambassa
dor Won Bernstorff, 1t is known that
the opinion prevails in various quar-
ters that such Il discussion virtually
is superfuous, the belief being that
the United States already has achiev-
ed its aims.
Official and Teutonic diplomatic cir
cles remain optimistic regarding the
ultimate outcome Of the negotiations
A strong desire prevails to settle the
controversy in u manner satisfac-
tory to both Governments and pleas
ing to public opinion in both countries
Officials. however, do not believe that
settlement in which Germany was
permitted to reserve an admission OF
wrongdoing would meet with appro~
val in the United States.
On the other hand, it is declared
that the opposition in Germany and
public opinion there would not ap-
prove of settlement which would en-
tail an admission that the command
err of the submarine was wrong in
sinking the Lusitania. Consequently.
it is considered in various quarters
there is strong probability that
settlement may be offered by elm
mating discussion o. the acts of the
commander under Il policy of the
German Government which since has
been changed as the result of nego-
tiations with the United States over
submarine warfare
-G
Fifty families were made home