Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-02-04
Berlin Refuses to COncede
Demand in Luistsnia,
Case.
DECLINES TO ADMIT
SINKING ILLEGAL
Cencsdes Every Other Point Demanded
by United States But Refuses to
Comply With Washington's Demand
For Admission That Submarine Vic.
lated International Law = Situation
Admittedly Grave.

Berlin, via London, Feb. 4.-Informa-
ton reaching the Associated Press toe
day indicates that under no circum-
stances will Germany admit that the
sinking of the steamship Lusitania was
an illegal act.
The new instructions forwarded to
Ambassador Won Bernstorff, according
to this information, contain simply one
phrase of the new formulation of the
proposed note of regret for the sinking
of the liner. The suggested sentence is
short, consisting of only eight words.
and does not contain the word 'illegal."
1t represents the extreme limit of Ger
many's concessions in the Lusitania
case.
Seven Letters May Cause Break.
Tie view is entertained here that one
of the most serious crisis of the war
has arisen in this case and that it is
impossible to foresee the outcome from
any indications here. The case seems
to hinge on the word Illegal"
In the way of an agreement between
Germany and the United States stand
only these seven letters, expressing. the
conception which President Wilson and
Secretary Lansing insist must be en-
bodied in the expression Of regret for
the loss of American lives. aboard the
Cunarder
The Associated Press is informed
positively and authoritatively that Ger
many can not and will not designate as
illegal the sinking of q liner bysa. sub-
marine. ~
-.&s-A othsf~ Difficulties Rem osyed.
Virtually no other difficulties in the
way Of settlement remain and the new
instructions forwarded to Ambassa dor
Bernstorff on Tuesday contain merely
the new formula by which it is hoped
to satisfy Washington without humil-
fatins this government
Altho this sentence consists of eight
words and does not contain the word
Illegal or characterize the sinking OF
the Lusitania as such, it goes to, other
wise, the furthest extent possible to-
ward meeting American desires.
Admits Grave Situation.
Dr. Alfred Zimmerman, under secre-
tary FOR foreign affairs. in an interview
with the Associated Press, expressed
the hope that the. new formula for
Warded to Ambassador Won Bernstorfr
would offer a possible basis for settle
ment.
However he made no effort to con-
ceal the gravity of the situation and
said Germany has reached the extreme
limit OF concessions.
ihe government is willing to do
everything IN its power and has done
everything In its power to meet Amer
lean wishes" he said, ''but there are
limits beyond which even friendship
snaps. =
Il do not understand Americas
course. We had thought the subma
rlne issue and the Lusitania question
on Inc way to arrang gement-had agreed
70 pay indemnity and all that-when
the United States suddenly made its
new demands. which, it is impossible
for US to accept.
Think Demand HumiIiatinu,
You must not push your demands
too far. You must not attempt to hu-
initiate Germany"
Dr. zimmerman left no doubt that
the whole crisis centered on Secretary
Itansings demand that Germany dis
avow the sinking Of the Lusitania as
an act contrary to international law.
The under secretary declared that
Germany could not possibly admit this
procedure was illegal He asserted.
again and again that If the United
States desired to drive the matter to a
break Germany could go no further to
avoid it, and that the breach. with all
It's lamentable consequences, must
come :
The most regretable phase of the
situation, he asserted, was that there
existed no really important reason for
q breach no conflicts Of interests be.
tween Germany and the United States.
Germany, he said, was counting on
reciprocal DEVELOPMENTS Of trade with
America after the war. These hopes
would be dashed-or at any rate their
development would be hampered great
ly-if breach were to come now.
LANSING WITHHoLDs COMMENT.
Secretary Of State Awaits confer....