The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-09-12
To Insist on Practice as
Well as Precept in U
Boat Warfare,
AGREEMENT SEEMS
FAR FROM CERTAIN
Tension Grows in Washing
Characterization Now
Under Debate.

WAsHINGToN. Sept. lit can be
stated upon authority that II the Ger
man Government In the fnal analysis
seeks to maintain a policy OF which the
Arabic note and not the Von Berustorft
assurances Ia truly representative tho
American Government will revert to tho
stern purposes by which 1t was guided
before the Won Bernstorff note was re-
ce!ved.
In other words. friends OF the Pres.
ident say he will break off diplomatic
relations with Germany IL II is clearly
established that the Imperial Govern.
ment does not intend TO stand 10y her
rule not to sink non%-combatant passrn-
ger ships without warning ard without
guaranteeing the safety ~ passengers.
The Presidents intentions in this Ie-
spect were stated so frankly b; h!nn
officials of the Government in the DAYS
preceding the receipt OF the Won Bern
storff assurances that his advisers Ito
exists as to the policy he viii pursue
IL the status of our relations with Ger
many reverts TO conditions existing thrrs
weeks ago.
1t is difficult for officials holo TO be-
lieve that Germany will assume 'll.
her submarine commanders are tp he
the sole judges as 10 whe;hcr am it
tempt 10 resist capture is made 10y pas
ships threatened 10y submarines.
The American Government VIII uo' use
sent TO such procedure and viii rug.yl
10y Germany upon this point
as the equivalent OF the notification Of
the German assurances. officials declare.
Ordun Note ~Disnpp"Int>.
The disappointment in official circles
over the German note On tao arabic cas-"
was increased to-day by reports that the
supplementary note which, according to
Berlin dispatches, Is on it's way to
Washington does not ampl;fv the COM
munlcation on the arabic, huy rather *
answer 10 American Inquiries
liner Orduna on July ? last. The
that the German communication
seeks to Justify the attempted torpedo
Ing OF the liner without warning. IT was
Governments reaching ma under
landing remote indeed.
What is regarded a. gu, mos. ~
aspect OF the situation js the
here that the ,;crmal Glow
ernment does not wish iu BRING ON Il
with tho United States. ora.
rials are satisfied now THAI Germany ig
prepared to go as far as her present
views will permit 70 Keep thc United
from breaking off diplomatic zee
Consideration OF the German note ON
the Arabic case Is now ccntriuE abou,
he German proposal for arbitration,
such arbitration to have no bearing on
he rights or wrongs of the submarine
programme generally.
Arbitration Far From trrtniu.
This view, however. II WIS pointed
,ut, is quite apart from any d',. sion ~
% whether or not the United states 81.
'onsent TO the arbitration %, tho ppIr.
n question. Unless some new ronSidrul-
OF extraordinary importance .tr,
brought forward there is ever rt..p. Iu
that the United States ~. i,.
accept Germany's proposal toE nn aru.-
ration,
In some quarters # Is hc,I f.l. .Iv
States would &c guilt Of ,uu-
TO arbitration what ought 90 Doe
'egardrd as an ahsurdity II r. ..aDl,l
% the German proposal. Thps. u1II.nr
view can see absolutely uu iu>t. %.
for the German commander 300.
ief that the Arabic intended 20 ram
lim. They cite the facts tJat no. one
N the Arabic saw n suhmariur and 'htt
no Arabic was not HEADED toward tnH
iubmarine when the torpedo was hr-g
ON the other hand, there are those
who feel that there is something TO be-
said for the submarine commanders
that he could NOT know whether
he Arabic saw him or not. and that hr
but little time In which 20 act,
L is declared that the United states
~ asking Germany for a statement
IN the Arabic case bound itself TO give
.easonable consideration TO what Ger
says and cannot bluntly reject
an offer to determine a question NJ thIH
single case by arbitration.
Nevertheless the belief prevails here.
)ased on is known OF the attitude
If officials to-day. that there viii he
10 arbitration in the Arabic ease.
The problem, as II IL now viewed here,
: 10 make German action conform 10
i"rmsn word could hut thr Arabic and
Hespcrian cases be eliminated there
: no doubt. 1t was said. that the two
Governments would rapidly reach an uu-
Outstanding, In the face OF these two
,ases, however, the feeling persists ia
official quarters that no sufficient inter-
Est Is being taken by Germany to make