5 FEBRUARY 1916, Page 3

As Mr. Wilson had just rejected Count Bernstorff's prepos- terous

offer to disavow the Lusitania.' crime if the United States would undertake to try to make Britain concede what is called the " freedom of the seas," most Americans regarded this speech as referring particularly to Germany. Confidential conversations with Count Bernstorff have been broken off, but it does not follow that a, rupture with Germany is imminent. A story, by the way, that an ultimatum had been sent to Germany turned out to be quite untrue.