The Washington times., 1916-02-09
Berlin Due to Receive
Lusitania Acceptance
From America Today

Berlin today will receive by cable
Americas provisional acceptance OF
Germany's "lass word Oh the Lusi-
tania. Americas acceptance Will De
made complete when the German for
eign office substitutes a formal note
for the info .rAal memorandum present
ed by Ambassador Won Bernstorft last
week.
The informal mcmorandum (which
President Wilson yesterday agreed
would be acceptable, when made into a
formal note. is held to concede prac'
tiCally every demand made by the
United States. II Is regarded. In eff
1ect. AS a real disavowal Of the sinking
of the vessel. And what the president
considers even OF greater importance,
II forms a diplomatic precedent and Il
basis for an international rule reCaTi-
Ing submarine warfare.
1t became known today that tho inn
mediate cause OF the satisfactory ter
animation of the dangcrCbs controversy
that had lasted exactly nine months To
a day, was n long cable message from
Col. T.. NJ House, the Presidents "en-
Noy extraordinary abroad.
While the contents of Colonel House
communication may never be made pub
lic 1t is reported to have emphasized
three conditions he found to exist in
Germany. They We're:
I. That the Berlin GoverneInnt. in the
instructions 1t was then forwarding to
Amba ssador Won Bernstorff, was max
ing its final concession in the Lusitania
negotiations.
.. That as result OF the feeling
against America for its stand in the
case, there was a growing demand by
the Won Tirpitz minority for a return
TO a policy OF unrestrained submarine
warfare on all belligerent ships.
;. That severance or diplomatic reia.
tiCns between the United States and
Germany would inevitably result in war.
The House cablegram actually reached
the President while he was in st. Louis.
1t was in code. and was not decoded
until President Wilson'S return to
Washington last Friday afternoon. Co
incident with delivery to the President
OF the House cablegram. he was handed
a communication from Secretary Ian
sing said to have included reports from
Ambass Gerard rega riding the lat
tcr's knowledge OF Berlin's last word
Gerard's reports, it is stated. were
pessimistic as to the outcome, in the
event OF the President not accepting
Ambassador Won BernstorIIs instruc'
tlons as a basis of settlement.
The President Is said to have Teen
impressed deeply with Gerard's COM
muniCation. 1t was the corrohoration
OF Gerard's gloomy outlook by the
| House report that decided the President
| and Secretary Lansing to announce to
| the country that the situation was
grave" They were convinced Germany
would offer no more. They fully rea-
| lized what grave possibilities hung or
| their decision as to aCceptability Of
| Germany's position.
At almost the same time the President
was studying the Gerard and House
cablegrams urging acceptance of Ber-
! Inns suggestions Count Won Bernstortf
was laying these suggestions before Sec
retary Lansing.
1t was authoritaticely said today tha'
| the proposals were paraphrase o
! this Governments demands. While 4
was acceptable TO the President II
| spirit. the wording was not exactly
a. the President desired. But turning
once more TO the Gerard and House
messages he caught again their warn
| ing note and decided not to "quibble'
| over words, IT is declared.