New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-29
BERNSTORFF AND
LANSING IN TALK
Admission That Subma-
rine Commander Exceed
ed Orders Expected.
CONDITIONS BARRED
To Ask for Mediation with Eng.
land Would Be to Offer Al
front to United States.
tFrom The Tribune Buresu.l

! washington, Aug. Zo.-T TeSlueHo
Wilson and Secretary Lansing are
awaiting word from Germany before
determining on any action in the
case of the Arabic. Nothing offered
by the German government to date
has given reason for anything mora
than the hope that further advances
will be made. While the President
and his Secretary of State believe
that Germany will disavow the sink
ing of the Arabic, should the act be
proved unjustifiable, they neverthe.
less are insistent that the German
government definitely outline its
submarine policy toward merchants
ships in a way that will assure the
future safety of American citizens
upon the high seas.
The President is not so much cons
cerned about the disavowal of the
Arabic as he is about a definition
of Germany's future policy with re-
gard to undersea warfare. \ state
ment from the German government
at this time that submarine CONS
manders have been instructed TO
comply with international law be.
, fore attacking merchant ships is
what the President and his Secretary
of State desire. If this assurance
were given the case of the Arab;
would settle itself automatically. le
the submarine commander cnat tor.
pedoed the White Star liner had dis
obeyed instructions the German gov-
ernment, of course, could disavow ID
and make reparation.
On the other hand, should the SUBJ
marine commander endeavor to JUS
tify his action and thereby prolong
the discussion, there could be no OBJ
lection from this government, pro-
vided, of course, it had received
from the German government dec
laration that submarine commanders
had been instructed to respect the
lives of Americans on the high seas.
Until Germany gives these assure
ances the solution Of the present
problem cannot be said to be at hand.
viii Insist on Demands.
1t can be stated with authority
that this is the view of the situation
taken by President Wilson and Sec
retary Lansing tonight. Both still
feel confident that an amicable set
tlement will be reached, but they are
/ firm in their insistence that such an
outcome can be predicated only upon
a complete capitulation by Germany
to the American demands for tha
protection of American citizens.
Thus far the only official Information
that has come from the German For
eign Ofic. to the State Department.
/ consists of the statement of the Ger
man Chancellor that if the Arabic was
/ topedoed contrlry to the instructions
given to submarine commanders a dis
avowal viii be made by the German
it. Just what instructions the Ger
n.an Chancellor referred to have not
been made known to this government.
1t can also be stated with authority
there is no truth in the report that
Germany ha offered to make the ces.
sation of its illegal submarine war;
fare contingent upon the success os
mediation by the United States with
Great Britain, by which the British
blockade of Germany would be lifted.
Not only has the German govern
ment made no such proposal, but none
is looked for 1t is pointed out that
an offer Of this kind by the German
government, not only would cast
doubt on the sincerity Of its protesta-
tionS OF good intent IN the ARABIC case,
but could be regarded as an affront 10
the United States, in view Of the ex-
plicit refusal of this government in
its last note to Germany to confuse is
controversies with the various bellig-
erents by making the success Of ons
dependent on the othc~
In Informal Conference.
Court Won Bernstorn, the Germaa
Ambassador. had another informal con-
ference with Secretary Lansing to-day.
lie had nothing official to Communicate.
His conference with the Secretary %
State this morning was similar TO his
previous one in that his sole pa pose
was 70 sound out" Secretary Lansing
as to what CONCESSIONS On GeImsnx's