Evening star., 1915-09-19
GERMANY YIELDS;
|NSTRUCTS ENVOY
TO SATISFY j. s.
friendly relations between the two e,
ernments."
Ideas in United States,

1T would seem, your excellency." said
the correspondent, that the renewal
of tension in the submarine question
is largely due, SO far as German fac
tors are concerned, to three main
causes: First, to the failure to follow
up Ambassador Won Bernstorff's recent
declarations at Washington and the as
surances communicated to Ambassador
Gerard here with negotiations to arrive
at some more definite and formal un-
derstanding regarding forms of sub
marine warfare: second, to the word
ing of the Arabic note, parts of which,
according to English cable dispatches,
seem to have caused an unfavorable
Impression in the United States: and
finally. to apprehension of a certain
lack OF harmony between German dec
lorations of policy. as imbodied in the
instructions to submarine commanders
Bernstorff. and the practical applica-
ton of this policy. whether due to ac-
cldents, misapprehensions or other
causes. under which the possibility of
further enlargement of American
lives at sea may not be altogether ex-
cluded. I mention these matters frank
~ because there seems to be reason to
believe that the change from the op-
tlmism of fortnight ago may be based
on MISUNDERSTANDING and lack of
d re
man government"
Making Germany's Position Clear.
The foreign minister welcomed the
opportunity to make clear Germany's
position. Concerning the Arabic case,
he said:
we hope that our offer to refer the
case to The Hague for adjudication will
case the United States and Germany
are not able to adjust the question by
direct negotiations.
we could not. you will admit well
go behind the report of the commander
of our submarine, or question his hon
est belief, based on the Arabic's ac-
ticns, that the British captain was
planning to attack his craft, particu-
iarly as long as we had against it only
press reports and the word of the
British captain. And in this case the
master and owners of the ship which
discarded it's peaceful character, as un-
fortunately British ships repeatedly
have done. and assumed the role of ag-
gressor, should be held responsible for
the loss of life. not Germany.
There may be room for honest differ
ence of opinion on this point, however,
and we are perfectly willing thorough
ly to examine the summary of evidence
which the American government has
10 InlS very day, only
a few hours ago, and which l have not
even had time to peruse.
Germany's Assurances Repeated.
las to the larger question of sub
marine warfare, the attitude of Ger
many is perfectly clear. Enemy pas
senger steamers will not be. subjected
to attack without warning, provided
they respect the regular maritime code.
and will be sunk only when oppor-
tunity for safety of passengers and
crew is given. Instructions to German
submarine commanders on this point
are very precise and definite, and go
as far as is possible to eliminate the
possibility of error or accident 1t
rests very largely now with our oppo-
nents. therefore. to provide the neces-
Sary remaining safeguards for voyages
by instructing masters to avoid sus-
picious or hostile actions or attempt at
fight-perhaps best done by revokins
ever possible and the promised rewards
for such actions.
Neutral Merchantmen Exempt.
Neutral merchantmen, including
Americans. are exempt from interfer-
ence, as stated long ago, except when
carrying contraband' continued the
foreign minister, ''and will then be de-
stroyed only under the conditions laid
down in the international code concern
ing maritime war. when provision is
made for the safety of those aboard.
These two categories, restricting
submarine procedure against passenger
ships and netaru-owned ships. cover
cases wherein the interests of the
United States may be involved and con-
fine the application of retaliatory meas
ures to shipping owned by belligerents
"a field which belongs to the belliger-
ents themselves to regulate.
Some time ago President Wilson ten
dered his good offices to bring about
modification of these retaliatory meas
ures. Germany then promptly signitied
readiness to take advantage of this
friendly offer, and is still ready to
do so.
Last Nights Washington Dispatches
LAS to negotiations to supplement the