Omaha daily bee., 1916-02-05
REFUSES
TO YIELD CUUX IN
LUSITANIA CASE
New Instructions TO Bernstorff Do
Not Admit that Sinking of the
Great Liner Was an
Illegal Act.
CHANGES PHRASE OF REGRET
New Sentence of Eight Words is
Said TO Represent Extreme Limit
of Concessions,
BERLIN CALLS OUTLOOK GRAVE
BUI,I,ETIN.

BULLETIN.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 4.-Presi-
dent Wilson returned TO the cap
ital from his western speaking trip
shortly after 1il5 o'clock this after
noon. He went at once TO the White
House
Late today Count Won Bernstorff,
the German ambassador, received
his governments answer in the Lusi-
tania negotiations and took it to a
conference with Secretary Lansing.
The ambassador said before confer
ring with the secretary he did not
understand how the instructions he
had could be unsatisfactory TO the
United States.
Secretary lansing replied to ques-
toners;
There is absolutely nothing to be
said. Tho matter Is confidential"
Count Won Bernstorft finally made the
same reply when inauirers intercepted
him.
Finally in response to repeated re-
quests for statement Secretary Lansing
sent out from his office this message;
The situation ia unchanged
WASHINGTON, Feb. 4.--Secretary
Lansing and Count Won Bernstorff'
the German ambassador, will confer
on the Lusitania negotiations late
today. The conference with Scare
tary Lansing was arranged at the
German ambassadors request.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 4.--In the abb
sence OF official information. Secre-
tary Lansing today refused to dis
cuss any phase whatever Of the
T.uaitania negotiations. II appeared
at the state department, however,
that IL officials regarded the situa-
ton as seriously as It is reflected in
Berlin dispatches. Il was not per-
mitted, TO appear on the surface.
Something definite may take form
after President Wilson returns to the
capital, this afternoon.
BERLIN, Feb. 4.--(via London.)
Information reaching the Associa-
ted 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, accord
ing to this information. contains sim
ply one phrase OF the new formula
ton OF the proposed note OF regret
for the sinking OF the Lusitania.
The suggested sentence is short.
consisting of only eight words. and
does not contain the word ''illegal."
It represents the extreme limit of
Germany's concessions in the Lusit.
ania case.
Crisis is at Hand.
The view Is entertained here that ono
OF the most serious crises OF the war
has arisen in connection with the Lust
tania case and that it IL impossible 10
foresee the outcome from any indica-
tions here. The result of the uegotia-
tions appears to hinge solely on the word
illegal"
In the way OF an agreement between
the United States and Germany stand
only these seven letters, expressing the
conception which President Wilson ard
Secretary Lansing insist must be enl-
bodied In the German formula expressing
regret for the loss of American lives
aboard the Cunarder.
The Associated Press ia informed Dos
itively and authoritative. that Germany
cannot and will not designate as illegal
the sinking OF a liner by any submarine.
COmprOmIse is Suggested.
Virtually no other difficulties In the
way OF settlement remain ana the new
instructions forwarded to Ambassador
Won Bernstorff on Tuesday contain
merely the new formula by which it IA
hoped TO satisfy Washington without hu-
initiating this country. Although the
suggested sentence according to a re-
liable version, consists OF only eight
words and does not contain the word
Illegal or characterize the sinking
OF the Lusitania as such. Il goes 20.
otherwise. the furthest extent possible
toward meeting American desires,
Has Gone Limit.
DR. Alfred Zimmerman. under secretary
for foreign affairs. in an interview with
the Associated Press expressed the hope
that the new formula forwarded 70 Am
bassador Won Bernstorff would offer a
possible, basis Of settlement However.
he made no effort 10 conceal tho gravity
OF the situation and was most explicit
In his statements that Germany had
reached the extreme limit OF concessions
and under no circumstances would con-
cede the illegaiity Of her submarine cam
paign in the war arena.
The government is willing to do every
thing in its power. and has done every
thing In its power. to meet Aznsrican
wishes" he said, but there are limits
beyond which even friendship snaps.
Il do not understand Americas course
We had thought the submarine issue ana