Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1915-08-26
FEAR OF GERMAN
BREAK LESSENED
BY COUNTS NOTE
Official Belief In Germany's
Desire to Remain at Peace
With u. S. Greatly
Strengthened.
Won JAGoW SAYS NOTHING
Visit to Foreign Minister Gains
No Information For Gerard
Many Believe Germany
Will Alter Policy.

Washington. d. c., Aug. 26.-The
chief feature of the situation with re-
spect to the Arabic case today was the
perceptible feeling in high official quar-
ters that the danger of rupture IN
relations with Germany was less acute
This feeling was reflected both at the
White House and at the state depart
ment. It Is directly traceable to the
message Of Ambassador Won Bern
Btorff, yesterday, asking suspension OF
Judgment by this government, and ex-
pressing regret that American lives
were lost.
Although there arc diverse opinions
here as to what Is the exact import
of the message of the ambassador to
Secretary Lansing yesterday. it's the
view in practically all quarters that In
any event there will be a delay and a
period wherein there will be doubt and
difficulty in establishing the facts.
They may remain permanently in dis
pute Under such circumstances the
Arabic case. as now viewed, is not like
ly In itself to lead to breach of rela-
tions, but the fact remains that the
big question of what Germany has de-
rine warfare Is still unanswered. This
question still confronts the admins
tration.
"Is Germany going to conduct naval
warfare in accordance with recognized
International law?"
Persons who profess to have infor-
nation from close to the ambassador
insisted Germany intended to comply
in practice hereafter with this coun-
try's demand as made in the July FL
note. and that the Bernstorff mes
sage of yesterday foreshadowed 1t. but
officials are not yet ready to accept
this as true as much as they would
be pleased If it should prove to be 20.
Berlin. Aug. Is: tvia LondonD The
American ambassador, James w. Ger
ard. called on Foreign Minister Won
formation concerning the sinking of
the steamer Arabic.
Mr.. Gerard learned that the govern
ment had no official news whatever on
this subject.
New York, Aug. 25.-Count Won
Bernstorff the German ambassador
to the United States remained in
seclusion here today with his plans
for the next few days undeveloped.
He had received no further advices
rom Berlin bearing on the sink
ing of the Arabic. he said, and did
not know when such word would be
received
1t was within the range Of pos
sibilities. the ambassador said that
he would go to Washington to con-
fer with Secretary Lansing before
receiving further word from Ber-
lin, but this would be. IL at all. up-
on Secretary Lansings invitation.
London, Aug. 25.-The American
embassy has transmitted by cable to
Washington the gist of seven deposit
tions taken by Consul Washington at
Liverpool, six of which were from
Americans on board the Arabic, and
the seventh from Captain Finch, OF
that steamer.
The last is regarded as particularly
noteworthy, as it is unusual for the
skipper of a ship to furnish any affi-
davit to q government other than his
own.
All the deponents state under oath
that the Arabic was pursuing peace
full course and that she was not armed
All of them declare either that they
saw the torpedo or heard shouts that
a torpedo was coming; also that the
Arabic made no attempt to escape or
ram the submarine.
Captain Finch in his affidavit es-
pecially emphasized the last point
saying that it would in the first place
have been suicidal and in the second
place. as he did not see the subma- l.
rine, he could not have attempted to
ram her.
-