THE NAVAL WAR.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17096, 19 February 1916, Page 9

THE NAVAL WAR.

SUBMARINE METHODS. AMERICA AND GERMANY. BERNSTORFF REASSURES BERLIN " Times ” and Sydney “ Sun ” Service*. LONDON, February 17. Count Bernstorff has informed Berlin that tho United States has dropped tho points unacceptable to Germany in the submarine war proposals, and that an agreement is assured.

PASSENGER LINERS. MUST NOT ATTACK SUBMARINES. By Telegraph—Pre«a Association —Copyright. WASHINGTON, February 17. Germany has informed tho United States that if passenger liners, leaving American ports with defensive armaments. aro to bo immune from submarine attack, as Germany has promised through Count Bernstorff, Germany expects a definite assurance that the liners will not attack submarines.

AMERICA DISSATISFIED. WANTS DEFINITE DECLARATION. (Received February 18, 5.2 d p.m.) NEW YORK, February 17. It is understood that America is dissatisfied with Count Bernstorff s assurance that Germany will not torpedo liners without warning. America wants a definite declaration from Berlin. Mi' Lansing declined, saying that a settlement of tho Lusitania affair was impossible until the armed merchantmen question was settled. POSITION MORE DIFFICULT. (Received February 18, 10.13 p.m.) LONDON. February 18. The "Daily Chronicle’s" New York correspondent says that Count Bernstorff has been outmatched by President Wilson, who has now announced that he will not accept the Lusitania settlement until he is assured that the Teutons' programme for the assassination of non-belligerent merchantmen without- warning will not nullify the Arabic promises. Apparently Mr Lansing's announcement, after the Cabinet mooting giving an indication that tho Administration would accept the new policy is repudiated by Mr Milson.who holds for. first, respect of neutrals right; secondly, the safety of American citizens; thirdly, a strict regard for international law. Instead of the friction being almost entirely removed, the President regards the position as becoming more difficult. WASHINGTON. February 18.

Air Lansing told Count Bernstorff that the latest proposals were, acceptable so far as tho Lusitania, was concerned. but America demanded assurances that Germany would not carry on the sinking of armed merchantmen to the extent of sinking passengercarrying liners, even if they weie armed for defence.

SOCIALISTS OPPOSE GERMAN POLICY. (Received February IS. 0. 2-!> p.m.) AMSTERDAM, February 17. Socialists in the Prussian Diet disapproved of the Government's submarine campaign on merchantmen.

dogcer bank incident.

GERMAN WARSHIPS FLED. <• Times ” and Sydney “ Sun ” Services. LONDON, February 17. \ Berlin message asserts that after the Arabic incident, British warships ran away when the German destroyers appeared. In reality it was the British warships which chased the Germans all the way home.