Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-01-13
TENSION IS LESSENED
Second Note from Germany
Gives Assurance That Sub
marine Warfare in Mediter-
ranean Will BE Conducted
with All Required Rules.

Washington, Jan. Two commuhi-
ratons from Germany reached the Uni
led states to -day--one containing
proposal to pay an indemnity for the
Americans lost in the Lusitania dis
Hster, which may bring negotiations
on that subject to n conclusion, ana
the other conveying assurances that
German submarines commanders op-
sratins in the Mediterranean would not
torpedo non combatant ships or any
character without warning them and
according safety to their passengers
aud crews.
The communications were delivered to
Secretary Lansing by Count Won
Bcrnstorff. the German ambassador.
The secretary Immediately sent them
20 President Wilson.
Official Washington tonight considered
that America and Germany at last were
near a final agreemen, regarding the
conduct Of submarine warfare. The atti-
tude Germany apparently had assumed
was considered to be virtually in harmony
with the American viewpoint
Tension regarding the entire submarine
question seemed to have lesscned con-
sidcrably. Austria, in its reply to the last
Ancona note, having assured the United
States OF its intentions to operate sub
marines with due regard for international
law and the principles of humanity,
Turkey and Bulgaria it is understood
next will take steps to give such guar
antees. It is stated authoritatively that
Germany and Austria hungary will use
their Influence to accomplish this end.
The Llsitania controversy, except for
the wording Of the agreement to be en-
tered into, Is considered in Teutonic
circles here virtually ended.
Under the terms of the proposal sub
mitted for the approval Of the United
States, Germany. while offering to pay
an indemnity, makes the reservation that
no admission of wrongdoing thereby is
involved. 1t is contended that the Lusi-
tania was sunk an act of reprisal for
the British blockade of Germany.
While Secretary Lansing is understood
not to have indicated to Count Vor
Bornstorff whether the proposal was sat
isfactory, a number of officials in a po.
sition TO be familiar with the Ameri.
can attitude indicated that It would be
accepted,
The assurances regarding the conduc
Of submarine warfare in the Mcditer
rancan obviously prompted by the sink
iug of the British steamship Persia witt
a loss of two American lives, are mucl
broader in their scope than the prom
seS made after the LuSitania disaster
covering the operations of submarines II
the North sea and adjacent waters
The latter guaranteed only that timers
should be immune from attack withou
warning The assurances regarding tn
Mediterranean operations include pr
Vatcly owned ships of every character
freight as well as passenger vessels, pro
vided of course, they do not attempt t
escape or offer resistance,
It was revealed to-day, too, that II
the reply to the last note regarding tn
William r. Frye, the Berlin foreign of
fee agreed with the American view Cha
small boats cannot under all condition
be considered place of safety for per
son, leaving It ship about to be attacked
Tho German government, apparently
not certain whether a German submarn
sank the Persia, promises the Cnite
States In to-day's communication tina
should it develop that such was the cas-
tho matter will be investigated and sub
,nittcd tu prize court proceedings. an
that If tho commander dsobeyod his OF
dcis he will he punished and reparatio
made for the death Of or injuries I
American citizens.
Consideration OF the German assurance
aud OF the apparent attitude of Austria
Hungary as reflected in dispatches frol
Ambassadors Pcntield at Vienna. led off
cias t. believe that the sinking of IL
Persia might not result in difficulties t
grave as al first We're feared. Inform;
ton regarding the circumstances of II