New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-10
United States Believed TO
Have Accepted Pro-
pOsal of Germany.
INDEMNITY SUM
is NOT STATED
Berlin Is Said to Look to WASH
ington to Make the
Next Move.

Washington, Aug. s.-The united
States has asked for and received per-
mission from Germany to publish as
formal document the last note IN the
Lusitania case, which was submitted
by Count Won Bernstorif nearly SIX
months ago. The State Departments
intention TO publish the communica-
ton is believed to indicate its accept
ance.
Acting Secretary Polk declined to-
day to discuss the plans of the united
States in regard to the Lusitania case
or 10 disclose when the document
would be given out
The communication, dated February
10 last. deals only with the principles
involved. 1t does not mention the
amount of indemnity Germany is to
nav or how or when the amount will be
agreed upon. 1t simply recognizes
liability" promises to make reparation
by the payment of indemnity, gives as
surances for the future and declares
that reprisals, such as ruthless sub.
marine operations must not be directed
at other than enemy subjects.
Germany Looks to L. S. TO Act.
Until now there has been absolutely
no discussion between Count Won Bern
storf and the State Department or be-
tween Ambassador Gerard and the
Berlin Foreign Office in regard TO the
question of indemnity. The German
government is represented as feeling
that. having signitied its willingness to
make reparation, the United States
must make the next move toward Sc
curing 1T.
The comm lnication when submitted
by Count Won Bernstorf was regarded
as being tentative, and the United
States refrained from accepting it be-
cause of the declaration by the Cen
trial Powers Of their intention 70 treat
as warships armed merchant ships Of
the Entente Allies.
Sea Policy Watched.
During the discussion of this decla-
ration and the negotiations over the
attacks upon the channel steamer Sus-
sex and other vessels carrying Ameri-
can citizens, the communication, which
stands as Germany's formal reply to
the last American Lusitania note, has
lain in the State Department Enacted
upon.
Having secured further assurances
regarding the conduct of submarine
warfare at the time of the negotiations
over the Sussex disaster, the State
Department decided to await develop
ments, principally with the idea of de-
termining how Germany's assurances
would be observed.
1t has been indicated by officials o.
the department recently that Z appar-
emily being evident that Germ any was
living up TO her promises, the Lusi-
tania note, the wording of which occu-
pied much of the time of Secretary
Lansing and Count Won Bernstorf over
period Of many weeks, should be pub
lished. The Berlin Foreign Office Of
fered no objections.
Commission May BE Named
A belief prevails in official and
diplomatic quarters that the amount
Ct the indemnity eventually will be
determined by a commission. which
may not arrive at conclusions until
after the war, unless meanwhile Ger
many should offer a lump sum.
The note ending the negotiations
over the principles, signed by Count
Won Bernstorff. opens by referring to
the formal assurances given by Ger
many last September that submarines
would not sink unresisting liners
without proper warning and regard
for the safety of life aboard. 1t re-
fers TO the lon standing friendly re
latcns between the United States and
Germany and asserts that the in
structions 70 submarine commanders
were so definite as to permit of no
misunderstanding. IL then says that
the warfare around the British Isles
was in reprisal for what is termed the
"inhumane" and illegal" blockade
measures of Great Britain TO starve
the Central Powers into submission.
Germany, recognizing liability"
promises to pay indemnity for the
American lives lost and expresses
profound regret" FOR their death. The
note says that reprsals should not be
directed at other than enemy subjects,
and that the killing of American citi-
zens was unintentional. Germany eX-
presses readiness to cooperate with the
United States in any effort looking
toward freedom of the seas.
Diplomats friendly TO the Central
powers regard news dispatches from
German. intimating that ruthless
submarine warfare was about 10 be re-
sumed. as without foundation. Conf
Dental advices from Berlin are under
stood TO have made il clear that the
probability of the Won Tirpitz element
returning to power was remote.