Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-02-10

necessary and insulting to the imperial
government.
The word Illegal in the draft the
German ambassador transmitted to HIS
government as meeting all the conten-
tons OF the United States is taken to
have beer regarded in Berlin as being
susceptible of application not to the
Lusitania case alone but to the entire
submarine campaign.
1t is known that the only change tho
Berlin foreign office has made in the
agreement drawn by the secretary
the ambassador is to substitute for the
word illegal" a phrase which while as
Stunning liability for the lives OF neutrals
lost on the Lusitania does not admit OF
construction into prohibition or sub
marine warfare. The dispatch. the am
bassador received yesterday and pre-
scented to the secretary was very friaf
and covered only the II point. Other
wise the document Is unchanged as 1t
was drawn to meet all the ~ntentio
of the United States.
Deadlock Is Reached.
After the ambassadors visit to tho
state department, Secretary Lansing
declined to speak other than that the
situation is unchanged"
That nay be authoritat;vely stated
TO represent the situation accurately.
it has become no more grave and by
that fact it has become no less grave.
It's status has not materially changed
and ii may remain so four or five days
at least while President Wilson and
Secretary Lansing consider Germany's
answer fully. In a like manner it may
be stated authoritatirely that it does
not follow that either a completely
satisfactory answer or an open breok
might follow at the end of that time.
The negotiations may continue.
Whether Germany's pledges given
after the sinking of the Arabic. coupled
with an assumption OF liability for the
lives OF neutrals lost on the Lusftania
will satisfy the United States remains
for the development of the next few
days. President Wilson, probably is the
only maj VINO knows.
The American government, in a re-
cent ~mnnnnicat to all the belliger-
ents. openly recognized the submarine
which has brought about a great
change in naval warfare as demanding
recognition In international law.
Tone OF German Press Dispieaaing.
President Wilson is not insensible
that public opinion in Germany ami
elsewhere must be considered and that
diplomatic negotiations have regard for
that important factor. AT the same
r time officials dislike the intimation.
that have come from Berlin that the
points for which the American govern
ment is c~ontending are purely technical
and hair splitting and Unnecessary Df
prosecution in view OF Germany's con
cessions of pecuniary liability for thu,
loss OF American lives and her promise
of future 4tentioE from inhumane
methods Of submarine warfare.
Tha Is the reason given for the in
%sistence of the state department. upon
its original confident expectation"
laid down in the first Lusitania note
that the imperial government will dis
avow the acts Of which the govern
ment OF the United States complain"
as we'll as make reDaration for the loss
of lives. In fact the state department
has expressly sought to avoid limiting
its demands upon the German govern
ment to the loss Of American life on
the Lusitania. II has insisted that
these conditions are irrelevant to
the question of the legality OF the
methods used by the German naval
authorities IN sinking the vessel"
Where the Case Rests.
In the Lusitania note dated June g.
1916, Secretary Lansing declared that
f, he was contending not only for the
mere property rights OF the United
States. but for nothing less high and
sacred than the rights OF hrmanity.'
Therefore his objections to the meth
were in the interest of all neutrals
and all noncombatants as we'll, even
of belligerent nationalities. He ex-
pressly denounced as unparalleled in
: In0uern warfare the sinking o.
"A great passenger steamer carrying
more than 1000 souis who had no part
or lot in the conduct OF the war with
out SO much as a challenge or warn
ing"
Stand on Same Ground.
1t may be stated upon authority
that it is upon this bread ground that
the United States government standx
today, and it is believed that Ia why
it has been refusing to accept any
settlement that involves departure
I from or surrender OF this principle.
: In a measure. Germany recognized this
!. position when she consented to elim-
mate the proposed reservation OF any
Y admission of wrongdoing by her SUBJ
@ marine commander for his act in tor
%pedoing an Enemy ship carrying mu-
u n%itions.
Count Won He%rnstorff indicated M
d thought it would not be necessary for
: him to see Secretary Lansing again
on the subject. His visit ySstsrfl1y
t was strictly Formal. lasting L. thsn
e five minutes. wAs evident That ~
e ambassador simply delivered the No.
e sage from his government = thu
Secretary Lansing scarcely dA -
y than accept IT for subuftnNlo.A oNI9o