Evening star., 1915-05-15
GOVERNMENT MAY HOPE
TO GAIN IN FAVOR HERE
Reply to President Wilson's Note on
Sinking of Lusitania Not Ex-
pected to Be Delayed.
ARBITRATION Is SUGGESTED
Berlin Newspaper Advances Such .
Plan to Settle Question, But It
Is Not Cordially Received by
United States Ohicials.

!. LONDON. May IS, 3:a2
p.m.-The Exchange Tele-
graph Company has received
the following message from
Amsterdam:
"A telegram from Berlin
states that the Vossische
Zeitung announces that high
government circles in Ger
many favor the submission
of the question Of the Lusi-
tania's sinking and the diff
culties with America arising
therefrom to a court of arbi-
tration."
The suggestion of arbitra-
ton contained in a dispatch
to London was received
among officials here with the
informal comment that such
a course was among the con-
siderations which had oc-
CURED to Washington, but it
was pointed out that it prob
ably would not be satisfac-
tory unless assurances were
given in the meantime and
the submarine warfare on
merchant ships was sus-
pended. Officials pointed
out that unless that were
done more lives might be
lost while an arbitration
was in progress.
Official and diplomatic opinion
n Washington was today shifting
to the idea that Ger.
many will surprise her critics il,
he United States by accepting il
SO lar as neutral ship:
md neutral lives are concerned
he American demands, as con
aimed in the note of President
Nilsson. now before the German
On the assumption that the kaiser
will be able to look at the matter ra-
ionally. despite the war enthusiasm o.
he German people, it is believed that
e will take little time to inform Pres
dent Wilson that the German govern
1ent has come to the conclusion thai
Is submarine raids have been more
isastrous to life than had ever been
Intended and believed possible. ana
hat it is the purpose of the imperial
government TO lease attacks upon un-
rmed passenger vessels of the enemy
After this acceptance of the Amer
can view, so far as the protection oi
.merican lives is concerned. the kaisei
Tould, it is suggested. make only the
ondilion that the United States forbid
he enemy's- passenger vessels leaving
.merican ports carrying arms OF ain-
lunition of any sort, this TO be left "a
reight and other vessels.
No suggestion that food supplies
ven if contraband. be prohibited ship
tent OH passenger vessels would pron-
bly, be made, according to those ho
elieve the kaiser is going to rise
bove the atmosphere of blood and w.lf
nat surrounds him.
May Seek U. S. Favor.
The opinion was expressed in we'll
formed circles today that Count von
ernstorff, the German ambassador
ere, is leaving no opportunity unused
, impress upon German officials the
elief that IL Germany acts quickly
nd wholeheartedly in her renuncia
on of attacks upon passenger vessels
great counterstroke will be made in
ill shift to Germany more quickly
ian can now be imagined.
The people here do not want war, he
said to be informing his imperial
ajesty, through the chancellor, but
ey are unanimously back of the Pres
ent and will accept no departure from
e terms laid down by the President
far as the protection and safety of
merican lives and American ships are
ncerned
Highly favorable action by Germany
ould not be construed as rejecting
,on the honor or courage of Ger
any, both of which have been demon
rated on too many battlefields
Besides this pressure from Count Won
which has been determined
= the pressure of German Americans
this country, the cable lines to Ger
any are said to be flooded with mes
.ges from prominent German -Ameri-
ms urging the German government
carefully consider and to act in
amer that will win popular favor
ire.
Those who reach the conclusion that
armany will do the right and manly
lng- also believe. however, that in
q German note of acceptance several
,portant new facts will be pointed
It.
Dne of these is that the German am
rssador here, before publishing the
,tices warning Americans TO keep on
ips bound for England, called on Sec
tary- Bryan and strongly urged him