The Washington herald., 1916-02-14
germany TOBOW
TOUNITED STATES
Formal Settlement Of Final
Details In Lusitania Case
Expected Soon.
SHIPS COME NEXT
U. S. Likely to Adopt German View
point on Ststu. Of Merchant
men Mounting Guns.

onicials Of the German Embassy ar.
expecting a hnll formal settlement OF
all details Of the Lusitania controversy
before the end OF the present week
BY tomorrow or Wednesday. at the
latest. the embassy expects word from
the Berlin foreign once accepting the
changes Of phrsseology In the agreement
which Secretary OF state Lansing suE-
gested at his conference with Count Won
Bernstor1 last week Although the
changes did not reach Berlin until Sat
urdsy, it is thought possible that Count
Won Jasov, finding them acceptable. may
notify the Ambassador by wireless today
to proceed 70 draw up the formal agree
ment-
Should this confidence be born. out.
Germany. in a formal communication to
the United States, will answer the Amer
ican dem for a dissvoWsL repsrstfon
and assurances for the future BY the fol-
lowing concessions:
Recognition OF liability for rcpsrstion.
owing 70 the fact that American lives
were destroyed by the act OF reprissl
which resulted in the sinking Of the
Lusitania.
A reiterstion OF assurances given when
the Arabic was sunk. that passenger ves-
sells Will not be attacked or DESTROYED
without warning and without measures
being taken for the satty OF the non
corostsnts on board, provided such ships
do not try 10 resist or escape
In her informal memorandum Of Feb
rusry Germany agreed TO assume" la
biitY. Mr.. Lansing asked that the word
! recognize" be substituted for "Assurns q"
Acceptance Of the recognition OF
liability on the ground stated In place
OF an oUt-and-out dissvowsl Of IN, at
tack itself Il the feature Of the agree
ment which is likely 70 arouse most
comment IN Congress when the text Of
the settlement is made public
Can APpes.e Public Opinion.
There is no apprehension in German
quarters tonight that the Berlin foreign
office will hold UP the settlement pend
tnE determination by the United States
government OF the course Il will take IN
reference 10 GCrmsny's announced fnten-
tion Of attacking all armed merchant
vessels without warning after March l.
The German government, Il Ia pointed
out. has the opportunity 70 close the
LusItania controversy under auspices
, which Will serve best 20 sppesse Ger
man public opinion.
Already, II IS stated, the German people
have been given TO understand, through
the announcement concerning the pro
/ PoSals which the United States had mad.
| to the entente powers Looking TO the
/
the United States acqUiesces in Germsny~s
contention that armed liners are in tn.
| category OF ships OF war.
Protest from Allies Expected.
The critical period Of the negotiations
between the United States and the
/ belligerent powers on the disarmament
proposition is expected TO be reached this
week. Within the next few days, oticisls
/ Of the State Department admit. tn.
/ United States government will have 70
make known It's position regarding Ger
manys intentions. At the present time
/ the indications are that this Eovernme Mt
| will accept the German view. and will
/ order port officers 10 refuse merchant
ship privileges 10 armed vessels and warn
! Americans to keep on liners CGrrytn.
I guns In the meantime. however, the
allies are expected to reject the dis-
armament proposals OF the American gov
crnment and to let II be known that they
will vigorously protest against q change
In the American position