The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-02-10
Wilson and Lansing Consider
German Plan to Admit H.
legality of LuSitania At
tack BY Innuendo.
NO DOWNRIGHT DISAVOWAL
Intimated That Controversy
May Be Settled on That
Basis Without Surrender
By Either Side,

Washington, Feb. S.-Germany has
agreed that reprisals must not be di-
rected against any other than enemy
subjects. This expression is offered
by Germany to take the place of the
phrase containing the word Illegal
which was incorporated in the draft of
the Lusitania agreement now under
consideration.
After talking with administration Of
ficials, Senator Stone, of the Senate
foreign affairs committee said that his
impression was that the Lusitania case
was practically settled" Secretary
Lansing indicated that some announce
ment might be given out for publica-
ton within the next few days.
Wilson Reserves Decision.
There was no indication whether the
president had definitely decided
whether Germany's latest proposal was
satisfactory.
Administration officials let 1t be
known that a mere choice OF words
would not be permitted to stand in the
way Of success of the negotiations.
The proposal now before President
Wilson and Secretary Lansing is de-
'scribed in German circles as substi-
.tuting for the word Illegal a phrase
which Germany hopes will be accept
able to the United States as covering
the same point without humiliating
Germany.
The principal consideration of the
United States is that there should be
an acknowledgment by Germany that
the sinking of an unresisting merch-
antman without warning is in contra
'vention Of international law and that
such naval warfare shall be perma-
nently discontinued. The German con-
.tention Is that such assurances already
have been given in the Arabic case.
No Intent to Kill Americans.
The language substituted for the OBJ
jectionable word illegal" in a tenta-
tive communication now being con-
sidered by President Wilson AYERS that
the killing of Americans in the Lusi-
tania disaster was without intent, be-
cause the destruction of the Cunard
liner was an act of reprisal and the
German government agrees that re-
prisals should not be applied TO neu-
trails.
1t was indicated that the tentative
form of settlement which, should Ii
prove acceptable to the United States.
would be embodied in a formal COM
,munication from Germany. approaches
nearer the desires Of the United States
than any yet submitted with authority
Of Berlin officials.
An Act of ReprisaI.
The agreement is prefaced with the
statement that submarine warfare in
the North sea was inaugurated by
Germany in retaliation for what she
regarded as "the illegal" British block
ade in the orders in council" 1t then
states that the method Of conducting
submarine warfare in the North sea
has been modified on account OF the
friendship Germany has for the United
States, and because Of the fact that
American lives have been lost.
Germany says that the killing Of
Americans was not intended, because
,reprisals should not be extended to
neutrals, and in addition to express
ing regret for the loss OF American
lives, assumes liability and offers rep
aration in the form Of indemnity.
The last portion of the document eX
presses the readiness of Germany to
cooperate with the United States in
any effort looking toward the freedom
Of the seas.
Had Issued an Order.
From high diplomatic quarters came
the statement that Germany believes
that she has, with the exception Of
making an out and out disavowal Of
the Lusitanias sinking. which she
considers impossible, conceded every
demand of the United States and that
the tentative proposal materially
strengthens the assurances already
given in the negotiations over the
sinking of the steamship Arabic. 1t
Is also claimed that the tentative pro-
posal covers all the fundamental is
sues involved in the conduct Of sub
marine warfare in the North sea.
Commander Followed Orders.
1t is expected that a direct disavow
al was given for the sinking of the
Arabic because that act was in viola-
ton of the instructions given the COM
manders of submarines. In the Lusi-
tania case, however, the commander
acted in accordance with orders.
The position of Berlin's officials is
said to be that the act of a comman-
der of a submarine can be disavowed
should be violate, disregard or have
failed to receive instructions, but that
a government cannot disavow an act
which was committed in accordance
with its instructions and for which 1t
is responsible.
Responsibility Conceded.
In the latest proposal there is no
attempt to deny responsibility for the
sinking of the Lusitania. Germany as
sumes liability for the American lives
lost, offers reparation by the payment
of indemnity and assures the United
States that the killing of Americans
was without intent. The tentative COM
munication also states that the method
of conducting submarine warfare in
the North sea has been modified be-
cause of friendship for the United
States and because of the fact that
American lives had been lost.