New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-09
Advisers Want a
Sweeping Pledge
from TeutOnS.
FRYE ANSWER
COURTS PEACE
Germany Agrees to Shield
Life Before Sinking
American Ships.

Washington, Jan. S.-Encouraged
ly the concliatory attitude shown
b. Germany and Austria in recent
diplomatic exchanges with the
United States, this government may
request a definite and comprehensive
statement pledging not only Ger
many but all Of her allies 70 re
spect, in the conduct Of their sea
warfare. the guarantees as TO the
safety of American life for which
this government has contended
throughout the entire submarine
controversy.
President Wilson is being urged
by some Of his close advisers 20 ask
the Germanic allies for definite as
surances that no unarmed ships with
Americans aboard shall be destroyed
by any Of them until the passenger
have reached a place Of safety. The
President is said to look with some
favor upon such a proposal, but has
reached no decision. In any case, he
probably will tax no steps in thar
direction until details of pending
negotiations with those countries
have been cleared up.
Frye Note Cheers Officials.
Germany's note in the Frye case.
made public at the State Depart
nent to-day, is taken in administra
ton circles as new indication that
the end Of the U-boat controversy
Is near. Although officials are
guarded in their expressions Of
qualification over the new German
concessions. they believe that com
plete understanding with the Teu-
tonic allies is in preparation and
will be consummated in a few days
This hope is strengthened by Aus
tria's Difference in the second Ancons
reply and the assurances Of Baron
Zwiedinek. the Austrian charge here.
that if il developed that an Austriar
submarine sank the liner Persia he had
no doubt personally that full satisfac
tion would be given.
Ne further details regarding the Per
ia incident reached the State Depart
ment to-day. but there has been an ap-
parent lessenng Of tension as the day
have gone by without any official con
frmation that j., was a torpedo and not
q mine that sank the ship.
Safety Must BE Certain.
The chief point at issue in the Frye
case has been for several months
whether Germany would grant the
American contention that lifeboats are
not necessarily place OF safety" FOR
the passengers OF torpedoed ships I'm
the note published to-day the German
government admits that the question
acpends on conditions Of weather. sea
aad proximity 70 shore. and assure
this government that persons on board
vessels to be sunk viii not be ordered
into the boats except when conditions
afford absolute certainty that the
boats will reach the neares, port
The State Department refused TO sd
nit to-day that Ambassador Won Bern
storF had submitted any new proposals
in the Iusitsnia case. Secretary Ian
sing and President Wilson alone arc
aware of the nature of the communica
tion he submitted yesterday. II Is be
'ieved. however. that it will serve a. 4
basis for satisfactory understanding
This belief is widely held among high
officials Of the government. who point
cut that Germany has shown, eve
since the recall Of Captain Boyd ana
yon Papen. the greatest anxiety 10
please the United states and TO ter
inmate the controversies between the
two nations. Il IS thought that this
attitude follows the hope tina, vigorous
action will be taken by Congress u
not by the President against Great
Britain as soon as the case against
Germany is disposed Of
Seeks Action Against Britain.
I, is pointed out particularly that the
Senate Committee on Foreign Rela-
tions has undertaken TO examine the
relations between the United States and
the belligerent nowers, and that the
situation is deadlocked largely because
q Germany's unatoned offences more than
Offset those OF Great Britain. With
! the German controversies out OF the
way. therefore. 10 IS hoped that tn
/ Senate committee will force the admin
istration 20 act against England.
Germany, action. according 10 thi'
understanding Of the situation. vii
therefore depend upon Count vol