The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-02-04

Berlin, Feb 4-The view is enter
tained that one of the most serious
crises of the war has arisen in con-
nection with the Lusitania case, and
that it is impossible to foresee the
outcome from any indications here.
The result of the negotiations appears
to hinge solely on the one word
illegal
In the way of an agreement be-
tween the United States and Germany
pressing the conception which Presi-
dent Wilson and Secretary Lansing
insist must be embodied in the German
formula expressing regret for the loss
of American lives aboard the Gun
arder.
The Associated Press is informed
positively and authoritatively that
Germany cannot and will not designate
as illegal the sinking of a liner by any
submarine. Virtually no other diff
culties in the way of settlement remain
and the new instructions forwarded to
Ambassador Won Bernstorff Tuesday
which it is hoped to satisfy Washing
ton without humiliating this country
Although the suggested sentence
according to a reliable version, con-
sists of only eight words and does not
contain the word Illegal or charac-
terize the sinking of the Lusit;-nia as
such, it goes otherwise to the fur
thest extent possible toward meeting
American desires.
Await Presidents Decision.
Washington. Feb. An the alb
sence of official information Secretary
Lansing today refused to discuss any
phase whatever of the Iusitania nego-
4 a at he n
partment, however, that if officials
regarded the situation as seriously as
it is reflected in Berlin dispatches, il
was not permitted to appear on the
surface. Something definite may take
form soon as President Wilson re-
turned to the capita1 this afternoon.
DR.. Alfred Zimmerman. under Sec
retary for foreign affairs. in an in
I'terview with the Associated Press
hoped that the new formula forward
ed to Ambassador Won Bernstorft
would offer a basis of settlement but
! he made no effort to conceal the
gravity of the situation and was ex-
plicit in his statement that Germany
under no circumstances would concedt
the illegality of her submarine cam
| paign.
Z. S. Demands Too Much.
THE government is willing to dc
everything in its power, and has done
everything in its power to meet
American wishes he said, 'but there
are limits beyond which even friend
ship snaps.
'I do not understand America.
course. We had thought the sub
marine issue and the Lusitania ques.
ton on the way to arrangement-had
/ agreed to pay indemnity and all that
when the United States subsequently,
made its new demand which it is i'm
possible for US to accept.
You must not push your demand:
too far. You must not attempt tC
humiliate Germany. DIR. thinner.
man left no doubt that the whole
crisis centered on Secretary Lansing
demand that Germany disavow the
sinking of the Lusitania as an ac
/ contrary to international law. Tht
under secretary declared repeatedly
/ that Germany could not admit thi!
/ procedure was illegal or make con
! cessions which virtually would tak'
| the submarine weapon out of he1
hands. He asserted again and again
that if the United States desired t,
drive matters to a breach, German!
could go no further to avoid it, anC
that the breach, with all its Iamentabl,
consequences must come