Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-02-17
TWO NEWS ITEMS.
The First:

T.
The First:
WASHINGTON. Jan. 2S-President Wilson has
given Germany until February TO state franfly to
this government whether Il intends to disavow the
attack upon the Lusana with the resulting loss of
lis American lives.
has decided upon ultimate course in the event
that Germany fails 10 satisfy this government there
will be no more confidential conversations" between
secretary Lansing and Count Won Bernstorff Up 10
the present time these socalled confidential CONVEX
stations" have resulted in something akin to farce,
in the opinion OF administration officials
The Second:
WASHINGTON. D. c. Feb 1ss-Ambassador Won
Bernstorff OF Germany today presented TO Secretary
Of State Lansing the latest draft of the agreement
Germany suggests end the Lusitania controversy.
This agreement, IT is learned, embodes the changes
America suggested and also one suggested by Ger.
MANY The indications are that the draft will prove
acceptable the United States and the controversy
will be ended
II is understood that on behalf of Germany, Count
Won Bernstorffs reply accepts the suggestion made
by the United States that the words recognizes la
biIity for death of American citizens in the sink
ing Of the Lusitana be substituted for the words
assumes liability" contained in the former answer.
On top of these evidences of almost irrecon.
cilable attitudes, there is the news this morn
ing that Secretary of State Lansing has not ac-
cepted the latest note from Berlin. The rea-
son is vaguely said to be that Mr.. Lansing
wishes to learn whether the announced cam
the professions in Berlin s notes to America.
The Star Bulletin has already commented
that it would be hollow diplomatic victory
for the administration to conclude an agree
ment with Germany the terms of which are
virtually dictated from Berlin That this will
be the general opinion in the United States
there can be no doubt. Furthermore, the i'm
preston is constantly growing that Berlin is
trying to strike at the British blockade through
American diplomatic channels If this belief
is correct, Germany s long diplomatic maneuv-
erine has had as its prime object not to evade
disavowal Of the Lusitaniai sinking, but to get
the United States into controversy with
Great Britain over the commercial issues of the
blockade. In justifying her submarine warfare
as reprisal against the British blockade Ger
many probably foresaw correctly that inethe
United States there would arise a cry that
while we were protesting to Germany we should
also protest to Great Britain. And this is what
is occurring
Now there is no question as to the technical
justice of the American protest against a
half-blockade which violates our commercial
rights. But to trade an agreement with Ger
many for protest to Great Britain does not
at al represent American opinion of proper
procedure, particularly as the first controversy
has involved the rights of human life and the
second controversy the rights merely of COM
merce.
We shall be surprised if Secretary Lansing
concludes a final agreement with Germany on
the sort of terms unofficially made public