The Washington times., 1915-08-29

American aid. rather than drag the
United States into the war;
If such has been the plan Of the
Kaiser's government 1t evidently hae
some slight show Of success?
1t Is recalled:
Lusitania note was sent to Berlin. Ger
man agents In Washington broadly in
timated that the Kaiser was willing to
modify his submarine methods II Great
Britain would call off her starvation
blockade.
2. That these same agents suggested
American mediation between the Berlin
and London governments to such an
8. That the German agents mentioned
also the possibility of such a moves de-
velopment into IA negotiation to end the
war.
4. That Germany's official answer to
the iLusitania note did actually hint at
agents referred to.
Waited for Opportunity.
The proposition. however, as virtually
presented, called for British In advance
OF German concessions. In that form
the Washington Administration did not
take 1t UP, electing instead to delay
strong representations to Great Britain
concerning the starvation blockade" +"
to American interests. until assurances
we're received from Berlin that Germany
gave assurances that she would respect
the lives Of Americans on merchant
ships-even upon allies SIMPSON the
high seas.
The statement was not officially
made. but 1t was. nevertheless, inform
ally announced that. II assurances to
this effect we're received from Germany.
America would be no less emphatic in
her representations to London concern
inx the starvation blockade" than she
had been in those to Berlin relative
to the loss Of Americans lives through
unwarned attacks on the allies' mer-
chantmen.
II was agreed in diplomatic circles to-
day that It would have been bitter pill
for GERMANY to have accepted these
terms in Just the form they were then
offered by the Washington Administra-
tion.
Had not Germany however. perhaps.
been waiting. 1t was asked. for an OPP
portunity to accept the terms suggested
loss Of facsT'
Many diplomats believed this was
true. and that the Arabic incident Of
fered the opportunity.
Way AeoO 10 Te4Cc ak.
At any rate. It was pointed out. II the
Arabic case works out as everything
indicates the United States will be
forced. not against her will, into the po-
sition Of mediating between Germany
and Great Britain In the matters of the
submarine campaign and the "starva-
ton blockade"
Previous semi official German utter
ances left no doubt. It was argued. that
the Kaiser hopes this will lead to gem
eral peace talk
The Germans military position, II was
agreed, 's such that they can we'll az
ford to enter on such a discussion now.
1t was not deemed so likely to be well
coined by the allies. Still. II was re-
marked. financial conditions are reach
ing such a pass in all the belligerent
countries that none can lightly disre-
gard suggestions OF the kind.
Moreover. attention was called to
recent utterances by British Foreign
Minister Sir Edward Grey, in which he
recognized the admissibility OF n dis
cussion, on certain conditions, between
England and Germany concerning free
dom OF the seas
Summing up their conclusions. inter-
national authorities said they thought
II possible a move was near with the
United States as intermediary which
would be at least a step in the direction
OF restored European peace.