New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-11
But New Friction with En-
bassy May Again Post
pOne Action.
GERMAN PROPOSALS
HELD SIX MONTHS
Critics Say Wilson Waited for
the Right Moment for
Political Effect.
lFfom The Tribune Bure,u

most vigorous denials at the State De-
partment that the United States was
about to accept Germany's settlement
on the torpedoing Of the Lusitania, 1t
was learned to-day on the most reliable
authority that steps TO that end already
had been taken by the Administration.
And again friction between the depart
ment and officials Of the German En-
bassy-as in the original negotiations
last winter-may postpone the settle
ment.
Reports that Secretary Lansing has
had in his desk tentative settlement
with Germany, submitted by Count Won
, Bernstorfr on February Is, are substan-
TALLY correct, it was learned to-day,
though it is denied that the United
States has asked Berlin's permission to
publish the text Of the agreement. The
Administration could have done that at
any time it chose during the last six
months.
There is no mystery in diplomatic
circles about the contents of the Bern
storf communication which the State
is the same document by which Ger
many "recognized' liability for the
sinking of the Lusitania instead of AS
suming" il, as Secretary Lansing de-
manded, and which received consider
able publicity last spring.
The terms are the same as those the
Administration was on the point OF ac-
cepting when the Sussex was attacked.
Secretary Lansing then broke oil nego-
tiations and announced that nothing
further would be done until the United
States was satisfied Germany would
keep her pledge not to torpedo liners"
Another "Victory" Held Back.
Thus at any time Secretary Lansing
could have declared that, as Berlin's
pledge had been kept, negotiations for
the final settlement of the Lusltanla
case on the basis of Count Won Bern
storff's note of February IS had been
completed. Within his desk lay another
diplomatic victory" which he could
produce whenever the President de-
sired.
Why the announcement of the Lusi-
tania settlement has never been made,
in view of the improvement IN the
methods of submarine warfare, is a
question that has long puzzled OBJ
servers here. One hears two reasons
suggested. The first is that the Presi-
dent has never been satisfied that the
U-boat campaign has been definitely
abandoned and that he has feared that
any victory" might be subsequently
destroyed By the resumption OF illegal
attacks.
Critics of the Administration say
the real reason for the delay has been
politics. While the terms OF the Lusl-
tania settlement were in general ac-
ceptable 10 the President, their formal
acceptance was to await psychology
cal moment when they would have far
reaching political effect. Something of
the same charge has been made in ref
erence to the recent protest on the
British blacklist.
Thus the announcement of settle
ment of the Lusitania case, like the
solution of the Mexican problem
should it be found by the commission
it is declared, would have great force,
for instance, in counteracting the
Hughes charges of weakness" and
"vacillation" in the Administration
foreign policy. They would be posi-
tive achievements, it is pointed out,
against which the Republican attack
would break in vain.
Whatever motive the Administration
did have for not acting on the German
pledge, there is no question that the
vason has ranked in German quar-
tiers. Germany has made a very great
concession, it was maintained, in "rec-
ognizing" liability at all for the Lus-
tania attack, when it had been ex-
pressly planned and was a part Of the
empires naval policy. Yet the Admin
istration treated the pledge as a mat
ter of small moment, and, contrary to
the practices of friendly governments,
regarded ii as Of dubious value. IL an
nounced that Germany's word would
have to be made good By acts before it
could be accepted.
Disregarding the sights thus put
on his government, Ambassador Won
Bernstorff is understood TO have re-
peatedly brought the attention of the
State Department to the fact that Ger
many had kept her pledge. In return
he has asked that the Lusitania nego-
tistions be reopened and final settle
ment worked out. As long as this case
stood in the way, iermany is declared
to have realized the impossiblity of
restoring friendliness in the relations
between the two countries.
Germany Tries Publicity.
When representations to the State
Department apparently were without
result, the German Ambassador re-
sorted to the publicity methods with
which he succeeded in embarrassing
Secretary Lansing last spring. Recent
reports of the reopening Of the negotia-
tions, it was learned to-day, were in
spired in German circles. Word had
reached the ambassador that the Ad-
ministration was planning to issue
diplomatic white Book" to offset crit
icism of its negotiations with Germany
and Great Britain. By reviving the
Lusitania case he sought to call pub
lie attention, it is understood. to the
fact that its termination rested prac-
tically with the State Department.
II was also hoped that by publishing
the German note the department would
place itself on record as virtually ac
ceptng il.
Contrary to Won Bernstorff's plans,
however, the State Department has
been greatly aroused over the reports
of any agreement on the Lusitania.
Both Secretary Lansing and Counsellor
Polk have denied with emphasis that
any settlement has been made. Whether
its premature announcement from Ger
man sources merely is resented, or
whether there are deeper reasons for
keeping it secret, is not known here.
The main fact is the unmistakable con-
sternation the reports have caused in
Administration circles. This was re-
Elected by Secretary Lansing to-day,
when he warned interviewers that cir
culation of Outside information"-t
Outside, referring to the German En-
bassy- might lead to "the greatest en-
barrassments." What the embarrass-
ments would be the Secretary did not