The sun., 1916-01-29
Yield in LuSHanta Case
or Break, Berlin Is Told
Berlstor1f Sends Word United States Demands Un-
equivocal Disavowal of Attack in Next Note-Reply
Promised on the Presidents Return.
WARNING SEEN IN SPEECH OF WILSON HERE

WASHINGTON. Jan. 2S-Count Won
BernstorfY, the German Amba ssador. has
been given to understand that failure on
the part OF the German Government to
yield TO the demands of the United
States for a disavowal of the Lusitania
attack may lead to rupture In liplo-
matte relations between the United
States and Germany.
The Ambassador, II was said tonight
In we'll informed quarters, has 40 advised
Germany is expected TO reach Washing
ton on or before next Friday. the day on
which President Wilson returns from his
national defence campaign in tho middle
West.
The warning to the German diplomat
is understood to have been conveyed to
him by Secretary Lansing last Tuesday.
when the two conferred in regard TO tho
latest demurrer on the part of Berlin to
the demands of the United States.
Annoyed by Delay.
On that occasion. IL is reported. Secre-
tary Lansing did not attempt to conceal
the disappointment OF the American dow
ernment over the repeated failures on
the part Of the German Government ~
give satisfaction and over the constant
effort on the part Of the Berlin Foreign
Office TO avoid an acknowledgment taat
the attack on the Lusitania was illegal
in the eyes OF INTERNATIONAL law.
Should the reply be unfavorable or
evasive there is reason to believe that
Secretary Lansing will bring an end 10
the confidential conversations with the
Ambassador. by means Of which he was
led to believe "A settlement could be more
quickly arrived at. and in formal note
to Berlip call for an immediate and
final response. As In the case OF the
controversy with Austria over the sink
ing of the Ancona 1t is assumed that
such demand will be based on the
concern of the United States for a con-
tinuance of friendly relations.
In highest State Department quar-
ters 1t was admitted tonight that the
United States has reached "A definite de-
cision as to the course II Will follow II
the reply from Berlin is refusal &c
comply. Beyond this responsible officials
refuse to go by way Of affirmative COM
, ment
II was admitted. however. that the
L
ing down on its demand for settlement
and that little else remained in the
event of a refusal OH the part of Ger
many but "A more or less definite threat
to break off diplomatic relations.
The situation is believed generally II
! official and diplomatic circles to have
been in the mind of President Wilson
when In the course Of his address II
| New York last night, before the Rail
way business Association. he gave
warning that Il was impossible for hin
to predict what the International rela
tions Of the United States would be II
| the near future.
| II Is now believed that this warninl
was Intended as much for the benefit o
| the German Government as II was for tn
! ears of the audience to which the Prrsi
dent was addressing his appeal for sup
port Of the Administrators national de
| fence programme. Although he ignored
| other portions of his prepared spec
and spoke for the most part extern
poraneously It Is regarded as signifi
| cant that he followed closely the text o
! his manuscript when he came to III
pared speech was carefully written b.
the President several days ago.
Hint In WilsOn speech.
What I am trying to impress upo
YOU now" he told his audience. "is tina
the circumstances of the world to-da
are not what they were yesterday o