New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-02
But Capital Declares
Concessions Equal
To Such.
GER MANY SEEKS
AID FOR PEACE
Hopes to Swing Sentiment
Here-House Reports
Settlement.
ln- r...s,,nh 70 The r-.hun. J


Chicago. Feb. 2.-"The ChicaCo
Tribune" this morning prints the
following from its Washington cor
respondent
Washington. Feb. i.-"The Trlb-
une" correspondent IS enabled to pre-
sent herewith the terms Of the pros
pective settlement Of the Lusitania
controversy between the United
States and Germany:
Germany viii not render a sp9-
cihc disavowai Of the sinking of the
Lusitania without warning. princi-
pally because President Wilson mas
not asked Germany to give spe-
cifc disavowal.
German Will render an apology tor
the killing Of the 1l5 American citizens
who went down on the Lusitania. prin-
cipally because thai is what President
Wilson nov asks specifically.
"The word dlsavowal does not ap-
n.or in the memorandum Of settle
mont which was framed by Count Won
pornstorF. the German Ambassador
and approved by President Wilson be-
fore its transmission 10 Berlin Tor the
action Of the German government. Inc
so,,Iement. however. is regarded by ad-
n,inistra,;on officials a. 'tantamouni -
= disavowal.' and when effected WI
be proclaimed by the Democratic lea"
ers MS a diplomatic victory won oy 'ne
firm. aggressive policy OF the fresl-
dent.
Modified Proposal Accepted.
Germany. it is learned. has decide!
~ vield % The modified proposal %
settlement made by the President Tor
two reasons:
..First Tho Berlin officials are con-
vinced that the American admlnistra-
tion deems an apology by German\ III
the Lusitania case imDeratiNely necea-
s;.rv 20 "A successful prosecution o. I'D"
camp.io,n for the denomination and re-
election of tho President. and tn retore
might not hesitate to sever diplomatic
relations with Germany. because oil
tho encouragement and possible event
nal assistance the United states might
render the Allies under such clrcum-
stances Germany cannot ahord a
break
Secondly Germany believes tnat
q settlement Of the Lusltaria contro-
versv on the Presidents terms will 20
far toward swinging sentiment ~
America 10 the TeutOnlc cause, ana
promoting an early conclusion or peace,
which .ome German officials predict
will occur within three months after
American financial and commercial AID
10 the Allies begins TO wane.
Germany Was Shocked.
The principal features Of the memo
rardum OF settlement IN the Lusltania
dispute are;
"'Germany sank the Lusitania as
r, r,prisal. recognized as Legitimate by
international Law. upon Great Britain
IN retaliation for the illegal and m
human starvation blockade oi Ger
many.
Germany vas shocked oy ne TACT
that this reprisal cost the lives OF m
nocent American citizens and deeply
regrets the occurrence.
"'Germany recognizes that while ,le
sinking Of a British vessel was a legit-
innate reprisal. the resultant sacrifice
of the lives OF innocent neutrals was
an Illegal and unjustiiiable act.
"'Germany out of friendship for the
United States, abandoned this form OF
reprisal and gave its pledge that hence
forth Americans travelling on peaceful
liners should be safe from attack with
out provision for their safety.
Admits killing Was Illegal.
Germany. realizing that the killing
o. the lis American citizens on the
Iusitania was illegal. II ready 20 pay
indemnities for the loss o. these llVes
and recommends that the amount OF
rcparation be fixed by further neso-
tiatioa.
"This information was obtained TO-
dsy from high Official Of the admins
tration. who has been thoroughly cor
versant with the secret negotiations in
the Lusitania case at every stage.
Moreover. the authority is aware OF the
contents of the secret advices caoitd
from Berlin BY Colonel House, the
Presidents snecial envoy, stating thht
the memorandum Of settlement as
modified by the President Is satisfac-
tory 10 the German government and
will be officially approved before the
end OF this week.
"The Indications are that Berlin
acceptancc OF the settlement will be IN
the hands OF Count Won Bernstorf by
next FRIDAY for trans mission 20 Seerc-
tary Lansing
The information concerning Ger
many's motives in agreeing to the set
Element also has been received in Off
cial dispatches from Berlin. Germany,
IL appears. IS manoeuvrlng 20 bring
peace propositions to the fore early m
the spring and is rot overlooking any
opportunity 70 promote this move
mont.'