The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-05
CRISIS IS REACHED

Berlin, February 4.-CVla London Information reaching the Associated Press today indicates that under no circumstances will Germany admit that the sinking of the Lusitania was an illegal act
 The new instructions forwarded to Ambassador Won Bernstorff according to this information, contains simply one phrase of the new formulation of the proposed note of regret for the sinking of the Lusitania.
 The suggestive sentence is short, con- sisting of only eight words, and does not contain the word illegal" It rep resents the extreme limit of Germany's concessions in the Lusitania case. SERIOUS CRISIS
 The view is entertained here that one of the most serious crises of the war has arisen in connection with the Lusitania case and that it is impos- Sible to foresee the outcome from any indications here. The result of the ne gotiationS appears to hinge solely on the single word 'i1legal,'' In the way of an agreement between the United States and Germany stand only these seven letters, expressing the concep- tion which President Wilson and Secre- tary Lansing insist must be embodied in the German formulae expressing re- gret for the loss of American lives aboard the Cunarder.
 The Associated Press is informed positively and authoritatively that Germany cannot and will not designate as illegal the sinking of liner by any submarine.
 Virtually no other difficulties in the way of settlement remain and the new instructions forwarded to Ambassador Won Bernstorff on Tuesday contain mere ly the new formulae by which it is hoped to satisfy Washington without humiliat- ing this country.
 Although the suggested sentence, ac- cording to a reliable version, consists of only eight words, and does not contain the word illegal or characterize the sinking of the Lusitana as such, it goes long ways to the furtherest extent pos sible in meeting American desires.
 ZIMMERMAN INTERVIEW
 Dr. Alfred Zimmerman, under secre- tary for foreign affairs, in an interview with the Associated Press. expressed the hope that the new formulae forwarded to Amba assador Won Bernstorff would pre- scribe a possible basis of settlement. However he made no effort to conceal the gravity of the situation and was most explicit in his statements that Germany had reached the extreme limit of con- sessions and under no circumstances would concede the illegality of her sub- marine campaign Tn the war area
 '"The government is willing to do every thing in it's power and has done every thing in it's power to meet American wishes' he said, ''but there are limits beyond which even friendship cannot go
 "I do not understand Americas course We had thought the submarine issue set tied and the Lusitania question on the way to amicable arrangement; had agreed to pay indemnity and all that, when the r H. perious demands, which it is impossible for us to accept.
 ''You must not push your demands too far. You must not attempt to humiliate Germany"
 IS NOT SPECIFIC
 Dr. Zimmerman declined to discuss these new demands or the instructions to Count Won Bernstorff more precisely, but he left no doubt that the whole crisis centered on Secretary Lansing's demand that Germany disavow the sinking of the Lusitania as an act contrary to interna- tional law.
 The under secretary repeated that Ger many could not possibly admit this pro- cedure of duty was illegal or make con- sessions which virtually would take the submarine out of her hands. He assert ed again and again that if the United States desired to drive matters to brea oh Germany could go no further to avoid it, and that this breach. with all it's lamentable consequences must come.
 The most regretable phase of the situa- tion, he asserted, was that there existed no really important reason for a breach, as there was no conflicts really of n- terests between the United States and Germany. He said Germany was count ing on reciprocal developments of trade with America after the war These hopes would be dashed, or at any rate their development would be hampered greatly if a breach were to come at this time, but Germany could do no more.