The weekly soliphone., 1915-08-27
BREAK OVER ARABIC
NOT A POSSIBILITY
Germany's Request For Time Caus-
es Washington To Hope For
Amicable Adjustment.

Washington, Aug. 25.-Secretary
of State Lansing, uncertain of the
full significance of Germany's re-
quest that this government with
hold judgment on the sinking of
the Arabic until it has submitted
its side of the case, has indicated to
Count Won Bernstorff, the German
ambassador, that he desires to con-
fer with him on the subject. The
ambassador, who is now in New
York, is expected to come to Wash
ington within the next day OF two.
Two opinions now prevail at the
White House and among State de-
partment officials regarding the
significance of the request of the
German government, and it is pre-
sumed Secretary Lansing wishes to
ascertain from the ambassador per-
sonally which of the two is cor
rect, on account of their important
bearing on the future course of
this government.
The opinion held by those closest
to the White House, and probably
by President Wilson himself, is
that the request is the most en-
couraging development in the rela-
tions of the two governments since
the sinking of the Lusitania and
indicates an intention on the part
of Germany to try to accommodate
herself to the American viewpoint.
The belief is held also that it pre-
sages the disavowal by Germany of
the sinking of the Arabic and re-
moves the danger of break be-
tween the two countries.
The other opinion, which is held
by some high officials of the state
department, who are less optimis-
tic of the outcome and less con-
vinced of the sincerity of the Ger
man government, is that this is
merely a diplomatic move on the
part of Germany. to delay bringing
the question to an issue until the
sentiment of this government and
the American people has had time
to moderate The effect of such a
plan, if successful, would probably
be to remove the danger of a
break, without the necessity of Ger
many yielding to the demands of
the United States.
The doubt in the mind of Sec
retary Lansing regarding the sig
nificance of the request is appar-
emily the reason for his delay in
answering it. If the view that
it is a step toward the amicable
settlement of the controversy is
correct, delay naturally would op4
crate to the advantage of the Unit
ed States as well as Germany; but
if the other view is the right one,
it is believed it would act more to
the benefit of Germany than this
country. 1t is understood, there
fore, that this government will not
until the secretary of state confers
with the German ambassador. The
view held in official circles is that
if the administration is not given
cause to hope that the new devel-
opment means a disposition on the
part of Germany to agree with the
disposition of the United States this
government will indicate that the
proof already gathered regarding
the sinking of the Arabic is over
whelming and will refuse to delay
reaching a conclusion on the case.
In that event, the question will be
back where it started and sever
ance of diplomatic relations again
will be imminent.
Every sign today pointed to the
belief on the part of President Will
son that Germany's action points
the way to friendly adjustment
of the issues between the two gov
ernments. Some of those closest
to the administration pointed out
that the request of the German
government proves that the presi-
dent took the right course in wait
ing for all the details before de-
|claring himself, and that he
would have made a grave mistake
if he had taken action Immediately,
as urged by former President
Roosevelt and others.
On the other hand, every indica-
tion is that Secretary Lansing, the