Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-01-11
BERLIN TO ADMIT
LUSITANIA ATTACK
WAS ILLEGAL ACT
Washington Believes Note
Accepting Terms of Apol-
ogy Has Reached
Germany
PRESIDENT is SATISFIED
WASHINGTON. Jan. Ii.

WASHINGTON, Jan. H.
while no official word had been re
ceived at the State Department regard
Ing receipt by Berlin Of the Lusitani'
settlement as agreed upon yesterday b,
Secretary Lansing and Ambassador
Bernstorff, officials believed the paper ha.
been handed to Foreign Minister vor
Jagow by Ambassador Gerard
According to the draft which Count
Won Bernstorff sent to his Government
Germany would give the satisfaction de-
manded by the United States In the fol-
lowing way:
l. The Imperial German Government
will again express its deep regret over
the killing of the ITO American men,
women and children who lost their lives
when the Cunard liner was torpedoed
without warning by German submarine.
IL will express entire willingness to
make reparatlon for the lives destroyed
the details of ndemnlication to be adj
justed on a basis satisfactory to both
Governments.
3. II will admit that the attack on the
Lustana was an Illegal act, but one
which was reprisal undertaken against
the unlawful actions of Great Britain in
proclalming her Order in Council and
proceeding 10 starve out the non
combatant population of Germany.
4. In reference to the demands of the
United States In its note of July u for
assurances against a repetition OF the
attack on the Lusitania. Germany. It is
understood, will refer to the assurances
already given by her on this score follow
ing the sinking of the Arabic.
Although the disavowal said to have
been agreed upon by the Secretary and
the Ambassador is not in the form origi-
nally demanded by the United States
IL is described as meeting entirely the
wishes OF President Wilson.
II was pointed out tonight in we'll in
formed quarters that in view of the posi-
ton which the United States has con-
sistently held In its correspondence With
Great Britain regarding the Order In
Council this country can have no hesi-
fancy In subscribing to the statement
that Great Britain's methods have been
without the pale of international law.
In the same way officials observe the
United States In its correspondence with
Germany ON the Lusitania controversy
has not disputed the fact that the at
tack on the Lusitania was I'm the nature
OF a reprisal against the British pro-
cedure.
Pending the receipt of further word
from Ambassador Penfield at Vienna,
dealing with the loss OF the Persia, the
State Department will permit the sub
marine controversy to remain dormant
1t was made plain today, however. by
Secretary Lansing. that he at least has
not abandoned hope that responsibility
for the sinking OF the Persia yet will be
placed. Ambassador Penfield Is pressing
the Austrian Foreign Office to make
further Inquiries to determine whether
any Austrian submarine torpedoed the
big p. and o. liner.
II will very probably be settled this
week whether action I'm the Persia case
will be possible. II either an Austrian
or German submarine was responsible,
officials say they must get to its base
not later than the latter part OF this |
week. But, as result OF the voluntary |
German note. reciting the orders given !
to German submarine commanders, and
the assurances that haze been given by
Austria, both here and in Vienna, that IL
an Austrian naval officer was responsible
reparation will be made, officials
consider the danger entirely removed
from the situation.