New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-31
Capital Sees i'm Note
on Sea Law Price
of Settlement.
NEUTRALS BACK
Will SON STAND
Latin America Has Also
Approved His Code on
Submarine War.
From %. Trihun. Bureau J


Washington. Jan. 30.--The extent
to which President Wilson is willing
70 play Germany's game against tho
Entente in return for victory" in
the Lusitania case was revealed here
to-day in diplomatic circles. AZ the
same time it Uas pointed out that
the grave crisis" announced in ad-
ministration circles was made in
Germany. and that its sole purpose
was to draw attention away from
the really dangerous situation in
which this government had been
placed.
There is now actually less danger
of trouble with Germany than at
any time since the sinking OF the
Lusitania. In informed German
quarters the idea of a "crisis" is
privately secuted, though every
thing is being done publicly to as
sist the administration in creating
the IMPRESSION that a break is immi-
nent.
President Wilson. in inviting the
Allied governments 10 disarm their
merchant ships. threatening to le-
galize their wanton destruction un-
less this is done. has given Germany
the opportunity she has sought for
eight months 10 make satisfactory
settlement for the Lusitania. II Is
now possible for the German govern
ment to satisfy the United States
absolutely without yielding any of
the rights" for which she has been
contending.
Germany Alone Gains.
BY disarming merchant vessels
President Wilson removes all the
risks now taken by submarines in
hating merchant ships without add
ing anything to the safety Of ocean
travel. He makes il possible for
submarines to approach vessels with
impunity and TO conduct their war
fare on shipping under their own
chosen conditions. In other words,
he is compelling the Allies TO submit
70 wholesale destruction OF their
shipping without giving them any
return in added safety for the lives
of non -combatants.
Count von Bernstorf was informed
Of this new move before the represen-
tstive. Of the Allied governments were
handed the note containing the pro
posals. Recognizing the importance OF
il. he at once notified Berlin 20 pre-
pare the way for closing the long con-
troversy over the Lusitania.
The State Department is hopefui OF
receiving a report from Colonel house
tomorrow dealing with his interviews
in Berlin. Although it is said he had
no special instructions to add his coun-
sci 10 the Lusitsnis controversy, IL Is
assumed that he has not neglected the
opportunity to do so.
In anti-administration circles Colonel
Houses Berlin conversations are char
acterized as atmosphere II Is be
lieved that there il no longer any resi
Misunderstanding between the United
States and Germany, but that eacn
government understands perfectly the
game the other is playing. The idea Is
scented that Colonel House will be
able 70 tell President Wilson anything
about the Lusitania case that he has
not known for many weeks.
Yielding Made Easy.
Germany's settlement, which is ex-
nected to arrive this week, oil poln'
out that At the time the Lnsitania vas
+ sunk there was no assurance hat ner-
chant vessels including O. .usitanis
we're no. armed. The German gov
,rnment is nov happy 20 note that the
limited States concurs IN the opinio"
that armed vessels are not enttled 10
The immunities commonly granted mef-
chant ships. ,
The German government is therstote
able TO disavow the act OF It's suoms
rine commander, who had orders nov
TO attack unarmed passenger yesse's
uri,bout warning, but was unapie :"
! ;,S,s ~ the character OF the Susi-
;snia because the United States was
then persisting in the mistaken notion
that merchant vessels were entitled TO
carry arms.
Az the State Department It is de-
clared that II the Allied governments
refuse 20 concur in the new American
nrorosal TO disarm their ships way
/ v.iIi he found 10 coeTce them. The way
has already been found. President
/ Wilson has not sent his "humanitarian'
note without envisaging a possible
even probable rejection OF its term.
: II is learned that other neutral GOV