New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-05
Situation Not Grave,
Is General Belief
in Capital.
SAY BERNSTORFF
CAN OFFER MORE
German Officials Hint En-
vOy Holds Back
Trump Card.
Iron re Tribune Burrsu !

instructions from Berlin, Count Won
Bernstorf called on Secretary Lam
sing late to-day. and again failed 10
meet the demands Of the United
States for the settlement Of the Lu-
sitania case. The State Department
announced that "the situation was
unchanged" as q result Of his visit.
The ambassador, however, is still
confident Of the ultimate success of
his negotiations.
The statement in well informed
German quarters that the ambassa-
doris instructions were exactly in
line with what he had recommended
to Berlin, and fulfilled his expecta-
tions completely" is believed here u
mean that Count Won Bernstorff did
not go to the limit of his authority
to-day. ]. is understood that his
government has authorized him prac-
tically 70 use his own discretion, but
that he is Withholding his trump
card until he learns what means
this government intends to employ %
coerce him. In other words, the am
bassador now lOlds the KEY 70 the
situation.
Administration officials declared
recently that to Germany had been
given her last chance to offer COM
plete satisfaction, and it was strong
" hinted that some new and sterner
method would be employed by the
State Department if Berlin attempt
ed TO temporize further. II is as
sumed that Count Won Bernstorff is
curious TO know just what steps the
United States is prepared to take to
make good its declaration that Ber-
lin must back down.
Crisis Is Fictitious.
Reports from Berlin that Germany
would never acknowledge the sinking
Of the Lusitania to be Illegal are re-
sarded here as intended purely for
home consumption. officials point out
that this government has never con-
tended that Germany had no right %
sink the vessel, but merely that the de-
struction Of neutral lives was unlawful.
The Imperial Chancellor, IL IL thought,
is making use II nice verbal dlstnc-
tion for its political effect.
II is understood that Count Won Bern
storr's communication to-day went
further toward satisfying the United
States than any previous offer, and this
is regarded in German quarters as suf-
Gcient 20 postpone any possible crisis
for week or two az least. The am
bassador - continuing the tactics he
has employed throughout the SUBJ
marine controversy. yielding slight con-
cessions when the situation appeared
critical and encouraging tho Admin
istretion 20 believe that Germany wal
preparing 20 grant complete satisiac-
tion.
The question now is whether Presi-
dent Wilson and Secretary Lansing will
see through the bsssador's trick.
and. unmindful Of Berlin's threats o.
rupture. call on Count yon Bernstorf
10 lay all his cards on the table. Tn
less this is done. il seems obvious that
another stage Of the controversy has
been entered on and that the negot'
tons will again be extended. with r -
moro immediate prospect OF reaching a
! conclusion than before.
In any case. opinion here is almost
unanimous that there IA nothing very
grave" about the situation. Even Ad-
ministration officials. who have been
most insistent on the gravity OF tho
situation. say that it Is mot danger
Gus" The danger OF break with Ger
many or Of any overt act that "oul"
take the relations between the w"
countries out of the realm OF verbal
controversy IS believed remote.
Language Causes Hitch.
Secretary Lansing pointed on, to-day
! that the word "disavowaw does not oc-
cur in the German language A. for
MAJ communications from the German
government are IN German. u Is a.
sumed that literal disavowal is ac-
knowledged by the department 20 Be
ou, OF the question. But what Secrc-
tary Lansing does insis, on and what
I Germany tas thus Far ~tuseS 20 grant
80. tbs: tht l!g..g of'ii5 Americans