Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-12
NO WISH TO HUMBLE
GERMANS, THEY SAY
Views Of Secretary Lansing
and Other High Ameri-
can Officials.

Secretary Lansing has given a state
ment to the Wolff bureau, a German
news agency, for publication in Ger
many. declaring that the United States
has asked nothing of Germany during
the course of the Lusitania negotia-
tons which could not, with honor and
dignity, be complied with. The state
ment was sought as reply to an inter-
view with the German imperial chan
cellor. widely published in this coun-
try. in which 1t was contended that to
meet the requirements of the United
States would impose an Impossible
humiliation" upon Germany.
Expressions similar to that of Mr..
Lansing were obtained from Chairman
Stone of the Senate committee on for
eign relations. Chairman Flood of the
House committee on foreign affairs and
Vice President Marshall.
Views of Mr.. Lansing.
Secretary Lansing's views were
quoted as follows:
When Secretary of State Lansings
attention was called to the interview
purporting to have been given by the
German chancellor, he said that while
he disliked to comment on press dis
patches OF this sort, it's authoritative
character seemed to require it IN order
that a wrong Impression might be re-
moved. He went on to say that he was
at loss to understand what the chan
cellor meant by the requirements of this
government being an impossible hui
initiation
HE said that nothing had been asked
of Germany which was not reasona BILE
and fair, and with which a nation
could not comply without doing vio-
lence to its honor and dignity: and this
governments demands had not been
increased since they were made May
last: that 1t had sought in every way
in the controversy to show greatest
consideration to the German govern
forts to this end have apparently been
misinterpreted, it would continue to
do so in order that this unfortunate
dispute may. if possible. be honorably
arranged out of a sincere wish to main
tain the traditional friendly relations
between the United States and Ger
many"
Chairmen Stone and Flood.
Senator Stone declared it as his con-
fident belief that no officer connected
with the government of the United
States had any wish or purpose to hui
initiate the German government or the
German people. Furthermore. he did
not believe that it is within the power
Of any government official here to hu-
initiate Germany.
Representative Flood said:
Il do not think that there exists
any desire on the part of any one con-
nected with the American government
to require or attempt to require any
action on the part of the German gov
eminent that would in the least hu
initiate Germany. Our government and
our people are most friendly toward
Germany, and this government has
only demanded what has been abso-
lutely necessary under the circum-
stances. There is certainly no desire
to take from Germany any proper
weapon that she might employ. 1t is
most unfortunate that these criticisms
come at this particular and critical
time"
Views Of Vice President.
Vice President Marshall said:
II have the utmost confidence in the
State Department, and believe that it
is only trying to uphold the recogniz-
ed principles of international law and