New-York tribune., 1916-01-25
Mention OF Warning
Is Now Eliminated
from Note.
OFFICIALS HOPE
FOR SETTLEMENT
German Public Will Not
Tolerate Further
Concessions.

Washington, Jan. 24.-Germany
has submitted to the United States,
through Ambassador Won Bernstorff.
another written proposal designed 10
bring about a settlement of the con-
troversy over the sinking Of the
steamship Lusitania, with a loss of
more than one hundred American
lives. There were indications to-
night that the document might bring
to satisfactory termination nego-
tiations which have been in progress
for eight months.
Although the greatest secrecy sur
rounds the negotiations, il was stated
tonight on excellent authority that
Germany finally had agreed to elm
mate from the text Of the agreement
any mention of the warning issued
by the German Embassy the day the
Lusitania sailed on her last trip from
New York. Mention of this warning
is understood to have been contained
in the last proposal, which was re-
jected after President Wilson had
considered il.
It is understood also that Ger
many has left out her proposed gen.
eral reservation of admission OF
wrongdoing on the part of the sub
marine commander. TO which the
United States objected.
Mention OF the warning is believed
to have been most Objectionable 10 the
administration. In effect It was re-
garded az conveying the idea that no
American lives would have been lost
had the warning been needed
Asks Action Against Britain.
l. was also stated authoritatively
that in It's latest communication Ger
many makes some reference 20 a desire
TO see the United States take action IN
regard 70. the questions involving the
freedom Of the seas.
The German Ambassador ard Secre-
tary Lansing probably will confer re-
gardng the proposal in the Immediate
future.
Germany reiterates clearly, it is said.
that the torpedoing OF the Lusltsnla
was an act Of reprisal for the British
blockade of the German coast Extreme
regret again is expressed that Amer
cans lost their lives in the commission
Of the reprisal, and Germany freely of
fers reparation in the form OF indem-
nifty.
The attention Of the United States L.
called 20 the fact that such forms Of
reprisals have been discontinued as the
result of negotiations with this govern
ment. and 10 the fact that broad assur-
ances for the future have been given.
All discussions considered superfu-
Gus have been stricken from the pro
posal.
Will Not Admit Wrong.
Consideration Of public opinion IN
this country and in Germany was said
to have played an important part 10
the drafting Of the document, II has
been pointed out that German public
opinion would not look with approya.
on a form Of settlement which IN any
way admitted that, regardless Of the
Americans involved, the torredoing OF
the Lusitania was an improper act, and
which might reflect on the commander
OF the submarine, who was acting un-
Ger instructions which since have been
modified.
In view OF this. il is understood
Germany may admit in the final settle
ment that il was wrong that Americans
should have been lost without conced-
ing II was wrong for the commander 10
fire torpedo at the liner. In this con
ncction attention was called tonight
10 the fact that Germany hardly would
agree TO pay an indemnity for killing
American citizens should it be con
sidered that the act was within the ia".
The German government Is under
stood 70 be most anxious 20 settle the
matter in manner mutually satls-
factory. Il il said, however. that the
proposal now before the administration
is considered 90 be final Germany is
said 20 hold that she has gone a. far a.
she possibly can honorably 20 meet the
views Of the United States.
The negotiations are treated as
highly confidential in official and diplo-
matte circles. For that reason u has
not been disclosed just how lar the new
proposal would 60 to~Td lna!L SET