Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-02-07
Germany Cannot Disayow Act
Which Commander of Sub
marine Was Ordered by
Government to Perform.
OTHER DEMANDS OF
WASHINGTON ARE MET
II Is Stated on High Authority
That Policy Was Changed
by Kaiser Day Following
Killing Of Noncombatants,

tsv eoRslHa JOURNAL srsoiAI lssssp ~tRal
Washington, Feb, President
Wilson and Secretary Lansing are
expected 10 confer tomorrow on the
latest tentative draft OF the commun-
Icntion the German government hopes
10 bring the negotiations over thr
lusitania disaster TO n satisfactory
termination.' information that the
outlook for an early settlement Of
the case again was promising was
received tonight from various diplo-
matte and official quarters.
The president has had the tenia-
tive draft before him since Friday
night. In it, German officials say.
the Berlin foreign office has gone as
Tar as 1t possibly can to meet the po-
sition OF the United States. From
high diplomatic quarters tonight
came the statement that Germany
believes that shes has, with the ex-
ceptlon of making an out and out
disavowal OF the Lustania sinking,
which she considers impossible. con-
ceded every desire Of the United
States ana that the tentative pro-
posal materially strengthens the ass
surances already given In the negoti-
atoms over the sinking Of the steam
ship Arabic. IL is also claimed that
the tentative proposal covers oil the
issues involved IN the
conduct OF submarine warfare In the
North sea
Changed Policy at Once.
IT IL explained that direct dis
avowal was given for the sinking %
the Arabic because that net was In
violation Of thr INSTRUCTIONS give the
commanders III supmArins4 a9
case Of the usltana, however lhe
commander aeied tn accordance With
orders. The general Instructions not
to sink liners without warning was
given, Il was disclosed tonight by
high authoritV. on the day after the
Luaitania went down. 1t was said
that Germany withhold announce
ment Of the fact for strategieal naval
reasons.
The position of Berlin officials is
snid to be that the net of the COM
mander Of submarine can be dis
nvowed should he violate, disregard
or have failed TO receive instructions,
but that government can not dis
ivow an act which was committed In
with It's Instructions and
for which II is responsible.
Admits Responsibility.
In the latest proposal there is no
attempt to deny responsibility for the
sinking Of the LuHltanIa. But Ger
many assumes liability for the Am
erican lives lost, offers reparatlon by
the payment Of indemnity and as
sures the United states that the kill
ing Of Americans WIS without Intent.
The destruction Of the liner was an
not of reprisal for the British block
lde under the orders In council, ac-
cording 20 the German view. and re-
prisals should not be applied 10 neu-
trails The tentative communication
also states that the method OF con-
luctiug submarine warfare in the
North sea has been modified because
lf friendship for the United states
and because Of the fact that Aineri-
AN lives had been lost.
In this last connection, 1t was said
onight that II WAS within the range
II possibilities that some reference
night be- made In the preface OF
he communication. should 1t be
transmitted formally 90 the United
states 10 the correspondence In the
irabie case. IN note to secretary
ansing on September 2, Count Won
3ernstorff, the German ambassador.
wrote that his "instructions cor
'ernlng our answer to your last luf
ania note contain tho followuf
passage.
Agreement to he Formed.
" Liners will not be sunk by on
submarines without warning ana
Without regarding the safety Of liHts
# non -combatanis. provided that the
iners do not try t. escape or offer
assistance.
"These instructions have not Set
,een made formal In connection With
he Lusitania case directly. At the
ime of the receipt Of the eommuni-
alton Secretary Lansing declared
hat II appeared 10 be "a recognition
,f the fundamental principles for
which we have contended"
Official and diplomatic circles are
nxiously awaiting the publication OF
statement concerning the Lusitania
which Secretary Lansing
aid Yesterday night be made within
he next few days. The statement.
was considered, might be forth
omlng ht any time after President
wilson and Secretary Lansing dis
ass the proposal
Count Won Bcrnstnrff, the German
expects 70 be called 10
he state department after the con-
crenee between the president and
he secretary That the ambassador
lelieyes he may be summoned In the
Iear future WAS indicated when Il
'echme known that he had cancelled
or fhs present engaKementg out OF