The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-17
German Plan to Sink
Armed Ships Rcopcns Sub.
marine Question.
LONG CONTROVERSY
EXPECTED TO ENSUE
Lansing Refuses to COnsid-
cr Tcutons' Reply to Lu.
>itania Demands.

WASH'N01oN. Feb 1S.-(;crmany's
declared Intention Of attacking armed
enemy m-rchInimen without warning
anc. February 80 has interrupted a
settlement Of the Lusitania controversy.
More than that, J., has reopcned the
w,oie question of submarine warfare.
In cfe,t. tho German Government, II
II is 10 give the United States the salts.
faction II demands. must practically re.
woke l,s recently proclaimed decree that
armed enemy merchant ships are to be
.egarded in the future as auxiliary ships
Of war.
Before accepting the satisfaction
which Germany has agreed to give for
settlement of the Lusltania con,ro-
v.rsy The United States. 1t was au,hori-
Atiyely said at the State Department
.ns afternoon. probably will insist on
Gayirg - written statement from Berlin
.an Germdny Ia its new submarine
campaign viii not attack without warn.
.Hs enemy merchant ships armed for de.
,ence
new dictum IL matter OF doubt In
a.! event the prediction was made to-
nisht 40 German Embassy quarters that
piolongcd correspondence between the
NO Governments Is bound TO ensue In
ne meantime. however. there IS DOS
soNity that Germany may postpone the
OPERATION OF her new submarine warfare
Tbs the Ambassador himself suggest ID
% his coniersnc. with Secretary Lam
SIg this afternoon.
settlement Was Near.
But for this new development, /, was
stated both at the State Department
and IT the embassy. to-day's communi.
ta'on from Germany Oh the Lusita n IL,
dispute would probably have brought.
about an immediate settlement.
Count Won Bernstorff called at the
state Department at noon to-day, lie
mad with him memora ndum from Ber-
In containing a new draft OF the pro.
posed Lusitania agreement. This draft,
is authorltatively stated. embodied all
tae changes IN phraseology which Mr.
Lansing mad asked for.
Instead of assuming liability for
nparation IN the case Of the Americans
wao we're killed. Germany. In this new
memo. oppressed Willingness to "recog-
h.ze' such Liability. With the exception
% one change which Germany herself
suggested. II is declared that the new
liat Wa practically Identical with what
N-. Lansing week ago wanted writ
Ten. And this change. IL IL said Mr.
-dnsing does not regard as OF material
Importance.
After r'adnG the draft in the pres.
tnce OF the Ambassador. however, the
N'c'e'arS IS said to have declared that
10 and the President desired to con-
der It N the light OF Germany's deciar-
aiiJn '"ucerning her coming submarine
'amli.en against armed enemy liners.
Might Nuliify Assspa nces.
Although not discussing the matter in
, d'taii win the Ambassador. the Secre-
'ar IS .did. 10 have indicated q fear
tnai the new German submarine cam
pagh, II carried on in accordance with
tne circular decree from Berlin. might
hui''y Germdny's assurances given at
u time ~" Arabic was sunk. that lin.
RS which did not resist or seek to es-
cape would not be attacked without
vah!ns and without measures being
Nh'n f'r TN" safety OF the non-com-
oa'ants on board
TIE Ambassador Is said 10 have ex-
pressed ni1 personal opinion that Ger
Many. d"spit" the circular warning, has
10 Intention of attacking passenger ships
.hd ''.l confne her operations to enemy
ielsh''Ts and trawlcrs. This, il is said,
spi"dr'd not 20 satisfy the Secretary,
VINO e believed To desire written state
".N' ron Germany TO that effect.
Ihe State department officials this
'U"fno'n explained that in its bearing
On statement of the Lusitana case the
'N German decree is of utmost inn
iNTance
IN seeking an amicable settlement of
"n controversy, II Nas pointed out, the
N'td states demanded two things. In
=" mrs. p'"" she wanted satisfaction
roy "h" happened. that is for tho
""'ns II the Americans on board the
.iSldhld lu IN" second place. il was
''"teh' -" lrted States wanted as
'u'tnreS from Germany that the future
'HHu'' Of hcr submarine warfare would
'n su % conformity with the rules OF
nfrl,i'"'Idl Law that the lives Of Ameri-
can 'lt'zens travelling on merchant ships
bell's'r"nt Power would not again
Placed IN jeopardy.
Arahi" Promises Enough.
Vhtil Germany proclaimed last week
intention # cmbarkng on a new
'"Hcy OF subma rnc warfare and attack
s an armed enemy ships without
"drnihg' u WAS explained. the assur-
a'e's giVss ~ the time the Arabic
vas sunk were sufficient to cover the
"mahd o' the United States concerning
we Iu'nr" conduct OF submarine warfare.
s'Ace then, however officials say that
'oe situation has changed.
I" MS memorandum to Secretary Lam
shg OF October last Count Won Bern
Horn promised on behalf Of his Govern