THE WORLD WAR: PERIOD OF AMERICAN NEUTRALITY 531



understand was as far as his Government possibly could go in com-
plying with our requests.
  I have only analyzed the memorandum very hastily. In the first
place I think it may be drawn from it that the German Government
recognizes that retaliatory acts are not lawful, though justifiable; in
the second place, it declares that "retaliation must not aim at other
than enemy subjects", which means, I think, that it is unlawful so far
as neutrals are concerned; and in the third place, the German Govern-
ment assumes liability for the death of citizens of the United States
as a result of the sinking of the Lusitania. It comes so near meeting
all our demands that I wish to study it with care to see if it cannot
be considered acceptable.
  Of course the word illegal and the word illegality are omitted, but
if we do accept this settlement I believe we could state our under-
standing of the language in order to show in our acceptance that we
consider there is a direct admission of wrong.
      Faithfully yours,
                                               ROBET LANSING

763.72/2611
           The Secretary of State to President Wilson

                                WASHINGTON, February 8, 1916.
  MY DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: The German Ambassador called upon
me at half-past four this afternoon and I talked with him about the
suggested changes in his memorandum. He said he would like very
much to make the changes himself without consulting his Government,
but that he had been so attacked by his enemies at home that he did
not dare to do so. He agreed to at once advise Berlin of the changes
sought and was satisfied that they would accede to them. He seemed
to think there was no doubt about it. I am not at all sure that I
share his optimism as I fear they may seek to modify their statements
in some way.
  It will, therefore, be a few days before anything further can be
done, as I assume the Ambassador will not be able to send a telegram
until tomorrow morning.
      Faithfully yours,
                                               ROBERT LANSING

763.72/2392i
            The Secretary of State to President Wilson

                               WASHINGTON, February 16, 1916.
  MY DAR MR. PRESIDENT: The German Ambassador called on me
this noon and left a letter embodying his Government's reply to our