New Britain herald., 1916-02-07
Expression Offered by Berlin to Take Place of Phras Containing Word Illegal Which Was Incorporated
 in Draft of Lusitana Agreement
Lansing Flatly Denies New Demands
 Were Made by U s. in Disputed Gas

Secretary Says State Department Co@
 siders Situation Unchanged-Se#
 Stone Considers Issue Practical N
 SettIedr-Administr OfficiaK
 Declare Mere Choice of Words WI
 Not Prevent Success of Negotiatio-M
 Washington, Feb. 7.-Germany N agreed that reprisals must not be @ rected against any other than en Ks subjects. This expression is offer% by Germany to take the place of IN phrase containing the word ilIegH which was incorporated in the draH of the Lusitania agreement now undS consideration.
 It also became known that GeS many expresses the hope that it ma have the opportunity to co-operaH with the United States in some acti4 looking toward the freedom of tla seas before the end of the war. Tl8 statement is taken in high diplomatS circles to imply that the Berlin gos
 
 cessation of hostilities before settlilz that issue.
 British Blockade Inhuman.
 Furthermore the German govcrB ment refers to the British bloclSa of Germany as being inhuman ca attention to the fact that neutral ve8 sels have been affected by the eff0Ik of the British government to starH Germany, and puts forth the conteS ton that the German retaliation the war zone around the British Is K justified by the actions of Great BrA ain. Claims that the reprisals are X gal are not mentioned.
 AS has been previously stated, Gc& many says in the communication thE the killing of citizens of the Unit States was without intent and thM the method of conduct of warfare the war zone around the British Isl@ has been changed out of regard \ the long standing friendship betwe the United States and Germany, a M because American lives were lost.
 No New Demands.
 Secretary Lansing today fatly N
  made in the Lusitania case at a tir@ when the German government cons # cred the negotiations practically we# by pr. Zimmerman German undt secretary of foreign affairs, to "n demands" M
 This government" said Secreta# # Lansing, has not increased the mands made in the Lusitania case set forth in the notes of May B, Ju& g and July 21. I doubt if Dr. Zimmt mann ever made the statement tf # new demands had been injected, I& cause he must know that it is utte false" N
 How Zimmerman Was Quoted. #
 In an interview with the AssociatH Press, pr. Alfred Zimmerman, unc secretary for foreign affairs. was qnt ed as follows: 8
 We had thought the submarine M sue settled and the Lusitania qut2 tion on the way to arrangement-h@ @ agreed to pay indemnity and all Il H when the United States sudder made its new demands, which it is & possible for us to accept"
 Gives No Details. M
 Secretary Lansing would not go II details or discuss MT. Zimmerman statement further. When Dr. Zi M mermann's statement was publish in this country, however his ref ence to new demands was taken W apply to a possible construction of word illegal" in the proposed fol of settlement. The only grou American officials could find for Cd structing that as embodying a m was the possibility that might be considered applicable alone to the destruction of neutrt on the Lusitania but also as to method by which she was sunk,
 Secretary Lansing repeated that expected to confer with Presidt Wilson some time during the day. was said at the White House that was doubtful whether the conferer could be held before some time afternoon, as the president had otl engagements. .at
 Situation Unchanged.
 Secretary Lansing made it know however, that the state departme considered the situation unchang Chairman Stone of the senate forei relation committee said after talSi with administration officials that was the Lusitania case W ''pra cticalIy settled" He did not m