Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-09
Germany's Latest Proposal
Substantially Satisfactory
to United Safes.
NOTICE OF THE CHANGES
FORWARDED TO BERLIN
Adjustment Of Controversy Without
Further Diplomatic Correspondence
Is Confidently Predicted.

'ii> LuoiIdiiid SdSe having ploNeu,
in substance, satisfactory to the
United States, final settlement of
the controversy rs expected with
in few days.
One of the changes in the Lusi-
tania agreement suggested by
Secretary Lansing to Count Won
Bernstorf, the German ambassa-
dor, is the substitution of the
words recognizes liability" for
the words assumes liability"
which were employed in the
tentative draft.
It is understood that upon this che nge
| and others described also as minor is
based the expressed view of high off,
| Gals that the two governments are
substantially in accord" although not
No new difficulty is expected here
| from the change of words. 1t is felt
| that Germany could not or would not
assume liability which she would not
| recognize.
Minor Changes to Be Made.
Alterations. however, in the form of
the agreement, regarded as minor ones,
are to be made to meet the wishes of
| the United States government anc in
| volve the dispatch Of the proposal again
to the Berlin foreign Office. One of the
changes. 1t is stated authoritatively, is
that the communication shall specifi-
1 in he Afa Tor ant hat
| in answer to the last American note.
Submitted as Precaution.
The changes were suggested to Count
Won Bernstorf. the German ambassador,
by Secretary Lansing late yesterday after
President Wilson and his cabinet had
The ambassador afterward submitted the
whole matter by cable to the Berlin gov
eminent for final approval
Count Won Bernstorff informed the
the changes could not be made, but, as
precaution. he thought he would be
justified in submitting the entire mat
| ter to his government for final ap-
| proval. He did so in dispatch sent
to Berlin last night. and within about
| six days the resulting formal commu-
| nication is expected. The ambassador
decided not to change even the punctu-
1
prevail of his government.
He had not deemed 1t necessary, 1t is
| said, to include the statement that the
| communication was in answer to the
American note, considering that the
| same end would be accomplished by
| submitting it in the form of memo>
| randum. Administration officials hold.
| however. that to keep the record
straight, il for no other reason, men,
| ton that the communication is a reply
should be made.
Concessions by Germany.
| Germany agrees in the proposed COM
munication that reprisals should not be
directed at other than enemy subjects,
expresses regret and assumes liability
for the American lives lost in the
Lusitania disaster, offers reparatfon in
the form of indemnity and declares that
around the British Isles has been modi-
fed out of regard for the long stand
ing friendship for the United States.
and because American citizens have lost
their lives.
The communication also calls attention
to previous assurances that liners shall
not be sunk without warning and without
provision for the safety of non-corlbat-
ants. and that the instructions given to
submarine commanders in this respect
have been made so stringent that there
can be no recurrence of such incidents
Statement by Prominent Official.
A high official Of the administration
made this announcement
"A settlement of the Lusitania case Is
in sight, probably within the next few
days. The United States has not in
creased its demands: it has not re-
duced them. You can draw your own
conclusion as to the basis of the agree
ment. The wording proposed by Ger
many appears to cover the position of
the United States. 1t is not fair to as
sumo that there will have to be any
further admissions or concessions from
Berlin
He added that the proposal was sub
stantially satisfactory"
In Teutonic diplomatic circles today
the belief was expressed that the pro-
posed changes would be accepted by
the Berlin foreign office.
SHIPS STAY Indefinite,
is GERMANY'S CONTENTION