The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1916-02-17
INTERMINABLE
NEGOTIATIONS
Continued from page L.

ten ISIiuduy Lila
armed as well as unarmed liners shall
not be torpedoed without warning,
settlement is a long way of, 1T was
declared In German quarters today.
The statement was made as Ambas-
sador Bernstorf was preparing to con-
fer with Secretary Lansing. The days
conference, 1t was explained, was at
Secretary Iansing's request and there
was disposition to believe the latter
would not insist on so sweeping a
demand
II an agreement can be had that
armed liners Of the allies will not use
their guns, except in case Of an I'M
warned attack, it was expected Ger
many would agree to such stipulation.
This would require such liners give
little stronger assurance than is now
asked, namely that they will use their
arms only for defense.
1t was made clear that the am bas-
sador was net prepared to provide any
written assurances On the subject
and opinion was expressed that long
involved diplomatic negotiations were
ehead.
Counter Proposal.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 17.-Great
Britain must give pledges that pas
senger liners will not fire on sub
marines. before Germany will instruct
its commanders not to fire on such
vessels without warning. This, in
effect. constitutes counter proposal
from Germany to the United States
objection to the plan to sink all armed
ships after March 1.
This became known today following
twenty minute informal discussion OF
the new submarine issues by Secretary
Lansing and Ambassador Bernstorff.
The text of the Austrian decree an
nouncing that all armed ships will De
sunk without warning after February
20 was given out at the state depart
ment today. It IS almost identical
with the German decree.
It was learned on high authority
that the United States and Germany
are In complete accord regarding the
Lusitania controversy excepting this
government considers the future must
be taken care OF as we'll as the past
AS evidence Of this agreement, it was
explained that the German memoran-
dunn regarding the settlement of the
Lusitania case was not handed back to
Count Won Bernstorff as had been ex-
rected. Secretary Lansing is under
stood to have insisted that this gov
ernment's acclaimed policy in respect
OF the right of merchantmen to arm
for protection, be carried out.
In the event that the latest sugges-
tons are not accepted within week,
it was predicted that months OF DIP
Iomatic exchanges are inevitable
Ambas sador Bernstorf said he did
not expect to see Secretary lansing
again before next week. He indicated
that he must ask his own government
for further instructions.
The Austrian submarine decree as
given out today is based on the ale
cation that British admiralty orders,
found on captured ships, are instruc-
tons to commanders melting them IL
legally to attack and attempt destruc-
ton of hostile war vessels, engaged III
legitimate exercise Of the right OF
capture.
This the decree brands as being in
direct contravention of the assur-
ances (given by England) to the state
department at Washington
Under these conditions the decree
points out "aIl merchant ships armed
with cannon for whatever purpose.
lose the character Of peaceable YES
Ia