New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-27
Fails TO Give Lansing
More Concessions
at Present.
NEW PROPOSALS
SENT TO GERMANY
Wilson Will Insist on Admission
That Lusitania Sinking
Was Illegal.


Washington. Jan. 26.-Ambassador
Won Berrstorf obtained to-day another
weeks delay in the settlement Of the
Lusitania case He informed Secretary
Lansing this morning that he could
offer nothing better than his proposals
Of yesterday without consulting his
government. The hitch in the negotia-
tons is whether Germany, in offering
indemnity for the 10 American lives
lost. shall grant it as a favor or as an
obligation. Secretary Lansing insists
that Germany shall admit that the
United States has demanded this m
demnity az matter Of right. The
German Ambassador believes nothing
should be said about it either way.
Count Won Bernstorf's belief is that a
payment Of indemnity implies an ack
nowledgment Of obligation, which is IN
turn an admission that the torpedoing
Of the Lusitania was Illegal. Secretary
Lansing's objection 20 this view is that
not .long ago Ambassador Won Berns-
TORT offered TO pay indemnity provided
II was expressly stated that the German
government believed the torpedoing Of
the Lusitania legally justifable
What Germany offers, therefore, is
full cash reparation, but only an i'm
piled disavowal Secretary Lansing
takes the view that an explicit disa-
vowal should come first and the cash
indemnity as a corollsry. The diss-
vowal. as IL is now understood both
at the State Department and the Ger
man Embassy, is to be in the form
Of an acknowledgment that the de
Struction OF American lives was unwar-
ranted.
The Lusitania agreement was re
drafted to-day by Count Won Bernstorf
and Secretary Lansing TO represent the
views Of the United States, and was
forwarded to the Berlin Foreign Office.
Word of whether the German govern
ment will accept II in It's present tenta-
tive form is expected in about week.
The whole question is now up to
Berlin. Count Won Bernstorf. as
pointed out in The Tribune yesterday.
knew weeks ago that this course would
have TO be adopted. He is thoroughly
acquainted with Secretary Lansing's
minimum terms and was fully aware
that his proposal OF yesterday could
not be accepted. His pretended sur
prise at the rejection Of his offer and
MS promise 10 attempt the conversion
Of his government to the views of the
state Department are therefore only
another attempt to gain time.
The ambassadors present aim. as un-
derstoOd here. is TO postpone the Lusi-
tania conversations until the admin
lstration's attention is diverted 20 other
subjects. Next week. and probably for
weeks thereafter. the President will
devote almost his whole attention TO
preparedness. He has already asked
Congress 10 speed up" and adjourn
early and he Will have 10 see that Con-
gress does so. With the national leg
islature working at high speed. the
German Ambassador hopes and ex-
poets that the Lusitania case Will be
forgotten-at least until he thinks the
favorable moment has come for pre-
sentlng President Wilson and the
American people with another diplo-
matte victory.
such victory at this time. Count
Won Benstorff believes, would be use
less 10 Germany. and as long as the
state Department is willing 70 post
pone and delay Germany has no rea-
son 20 consult other interests than her
own IN dealing with the United States.
No matter when or how the Lusi-
tania case is settled however. Ger
many Will remain Of the opinion that
the sinking Of the vessel and the
slaughter Of Americans were perfectly
justified. This was stated TODAY in
German quarters here as representing
the views Of the ambassador, and i'm
plies that the German government will
always reserve the right TO resume at
tecks on passenger vessels when il
shall appear TO It's interest 10 DO so.