New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-29
LuSitania EvaSiOns
Must End. Berlin
Is Told.
VIENNA ASKED
ABOUT PERSIA
Failure to Deny Sinking
of Liner Worries
Washington.

Washington, Jan. 2s.-The ad-
ministration's plan Of procedure
against Germany If further delays
are asked before meeting the
American demands has been care
fully mapped out. The State De-
partment, il was announced to-day,
ned foreseen every contingency and
had determined its course If Count
Won Bernstorf's next attempt at a
settlement was unsatisfactory.
The German government has been
advised. through its ambassador.
that the United States is determined
to entertain no more tentative pro-
posals, and in its next communica-
ton Berlin is expected to say its last
wcrd. 1t is believed, both at the
State Department and at the en-
bassy, that because of this threat a
settlement will be reached soon. IL
il conceived to be possible, however,
that things will not turn out so
favo-ably.
Nothing Has Been Gained.
Secretary Lansing ,nd President
Wilson are the only ones who know
Just what this government will do X
Germany again attempts 70 temporizc.
A the case stands now, the United
States has gained nothing from Ger
many in the way Of satisfaction for
the Lusitania massacre, except in
formal assurances from Count Won
Bernstorf. which he is az liberty 10
recall. Even his offer OF cash in
demnity without apologies Is reyocable
at his pleasure.
The United States can hold two
threats over Germany IN case Of
failure 10 meet the Lusitania demands.
One is an ultimatum, which would be
followed by a complete rupture Of dip
lomatic relations II not met with IN
stant capitulation. The other IL the
dismissal Of Ambassador Won Bern
storf as persona non grsta.
This latter course might be adopted
on the ground that the ambassador had
misled the State Department into b.
lieving his government would oher
genuine satisfaction for the Lusitanla
crime Diplomatists say that the fail
ure Of a government 10 uphold its am
bassador's promises amounts 10 an OIL
cial disavowal of his acts, which makes
frank dealing impossible.
United States Ready 10 Act.
Short Of these two courses, it is be-
lieved the State Department has n,
adequate means of forcing Germany
10 satisfy its demands, and II is there
fore regarded as likely that one OF
them will be pursued unless the Ger
man government meets Secretary Lam
sings terms. a
Worried by Austria's failure 20 SUBJ
NIT fnal disclaimer OF responsibility
for the sinking OF the Persia, state
Department officials said to-day that
new injuries would be made Of Vienna
unless the information desired was re-
ceived within a day or two. ne de-
partment is at loss 20 understand
how il is that Germany has heard from
all her submarines and has reported
that none of them sank the Persia,
while Austria has forwarded no such
report.
The last word from Vienna was sew
eral weeks ago. when the Foreign Office
stated that none Of the submarines
heard from up 20 that time had sunk
the Persia. Unofficial reports from
Vienna few days ago. that a dis
claimer similar TO Germany's was
forthcoming. have not been substantl-
ated through official channels.
Vienna Under Suspicion.
Austria was under suspicion from
the start for the Persia attack, and the
long delays Of the Austrian govern
ment have served 20 confirm the sus-
picions. Il j. now coniectured that
the submarine has reported sinking the
Persia, but that Austria - Withholding
the information pending the announce
ment b. this government Of change
in policy with regard 10 armed mer-
chantmen. The Persia was armed.
While any new ruling that may be
made by the State Department viii not
be retroactive and cannot affect the
Persia case directly. there is no ques.
ton but that il would have profound
moral effect II Secretary Lansing
should decide 20 place armed vessels
outside the pale OF the law. Austria
could then acknowledge the act with
t...t. f..r of raeaiyinQ another sharp