Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1916-02-09

alton Even Without Imper.
ial Orders.
Washington, Feb. Sin substance,
the tentative communication from
Germany designed to settle the Lusi-
tania matter is acceptable to the
United States.
High administration officials TO-
night consider that this government
in prevailing on Germany to make
the concession and agreements as set
forth in the documents has achieved
recognition of all the high princi-
piles for which it has cOntended in
connection with the submarine war
fare
Is Satisfactory.
While the substance of the prOpos-
ed communication admittedly is sat.
isfactory, minor changes to clarity
the wording and in connection with
the form in which The formal docu-
ment shall take was suggested today
to Count Won Bernstorff, The German
ambassador, by Secretary Lansing.
The desire Of the United States in
this connection was made known to
the ambassador after President Will
son had discussed the matter with
the cabinet Count Won Bernstorff i'm
mediately informed the secretary he
saw no reason why the changes could
not be made, but explained as pre-
caution he thought he was justified in
submitting the entire matter to his
government for final approval. He
did so in dispatch sent to Berlin
tonight and within about six days the
resulting formal communication is ex-
pected. ,y,.-.-s, J, ,a, IL ssss
Befnstorff optimistic:
Secretary Lansing insists, ii is stat
ed by high authority, that it shall be
stated specifically in the communica.
tion that it is in answer to the Am
erican note of July 81. This, ana
other changes, deemed necessary to
clarity certain portions of the doc
llment, administration officials
thought, Count Won Bernstorff
thought himself would be able to
make.
not even to change the punctuation
of the document without the approval
of his government. He had not deem
ed it necessary, it is said, to include
the statement that the communica-
tion was in answer to the American
note, considering that the same end
would be accomplished by submitting
it in the form of memorandum.
Administration officials hold, howev-
er, that to keep the record straight,
if for no other reason. mention that
the communication is a reply should
be made.
Won't Alter Meaning.
The ambassador as yet, does not
know whether his government wants
him to sign the formal note or. wheth-
er it isS decided to have the secre-i
tary Of foreign affairs do sc. This
phase also had been Submitted to
Berlin. .t.tt'l.E.4 E9h3sEoI nuIJf :
Assurances we're received in. high
diplomatic and Off fffial" circles. that
the changes Of wording suggested
would not in any sense alter the
meaning
No Modification Suggested.
No modification, it was stated auth
oritatively, was suggested in connec-
tion with the phrase submitted for the
word Illegal which the Germans
were unwilling to use. In Teutonic
diplomatic circles not the slightest
difficulty over the proposed change is
anticipated. In fact, it is said Berlin
officials probably will Immediately
will authorize them, none being af a
nature requiring more than a passing
notice.
Late this afternoon Count Won Bern
storf was called to the state depart
ment by Secretary Lansing. The two
remained in the office more than half
an hour AS the ambassador left the
building he said:
Everything All Right.
Everything is substantially all
right bu. it is not finished"
A high official of the administration
said % settlement of the Lusitania
case is within sight, probably within
the next few days." adding that the
proposal was substantially satisfac-
tory" &
Germany agrees in the proposed
communication that reprisals should
not be directed at other than enemy
subjects, expressed regret and assum-
ed liability for the American lives lost
in the Lusitania disaster and offers
reparation in the form Of indemnity,
and declares that the Submarine war
fare in the zone around the British
Islands had been modified out of re-
gard for the long standing friendship
for the United States, and because
American citizens have lost their
lives.
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