OCR Text |
Show CRISIS AGAIN ON WITH GERMANY H Reports From Berlin Are Not B as Favorable as Expected B by United States. H . Washington, Feb. 20. Tension Is H increasing in the situation botwecn H J the United States and the central H j powers, as a response is awaited from H 1 Berlin to the latest request of the H I American government for a definite H I assuranco regarding tho conduct of H submarine warfare. H There were no new dovelopmeuta H today but in view of Intimations from H J Teutonic diplomatics and apparently H significant news dispatches, officials H are awaiting word from Berlin with H unconcealed concern. It is possible H that official indication of the attl- H tude of the British foreign office may H be received tomorrow or Tuesday In H confidential reports from Ambassa- Hl I dor Gerard. B Officials still hope that tho offl- H cial advices will not conform to tho H I indications in tho press dispatches Hj I that tho German government is un- Hl alterably opposed to modifying its H I declared intention to sink all armed H t merchant ships of the entente allies H ' without wanting after February 29. H j Count von Bcrnstorff, the German B ambassador who transmitted the H ) views of the United States to his gov- H ernment late Thursday night, prob- H ably will have recelvod a reply to his H diBpatch before the middle of the H week. As the position of tho United Hj States was explained to tho Austrian B representative, Baron Zwiedinck, only H vnctorrlfir Vlonnn hnri-lH- uHll lift VififtTM H , Irom for at least a week. H , It is realized in official quarters H that whatever policy the United H j States decided to pursue, will have to H I be formulated quickly. Only nine H ' days remain before commanders of H German and Austrian submarines will H ' begin to put their new instructions H . into effect, unless tho central powers H ' decide to postpone the order pending H the outcome of the negotiations with H I the United States. Hj j Future action will be decided upon H after official information concerning H i the attitude of the central powers is H I received at the state department. i Secretary Lansing today denied reports re-ports that he contemplated calling high Teutonic officials to the state department to explain various recent newspaper dispatches from Washlng- ton. He said there was no change in H his official or personal relations with H I Count von Bernatorff or Baron Zwie- H It has been known for some time H that administration officials objected H, to information regarding diplomatic H negotiations, about which the state de- H partment was silent, reaching the pub- H lie apparently through diplomatic sources. It is said at the state de- B partraent that unless diplomats stop 1 divulging Information tho department B may take into consideration the ques- H tion of having them withdrawn al- Hl though bo far such action is not actu- Hj ally contemplated. H oo |