New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-27
Assured Pledge to
Safeguard Amer.
leans Will Be
Made.
WILSON WANTS
NO MORE DELAY
Intends Arabic Case to
Settle Whole Ques-
ton at Issue.
ENVOY SEES LANSING
ENVOY SEES LANSING
Foreign Office Believed Prepar-
ing the People to Meet
American Demands.
[From The Tribuns Bureau

Washington, Aug. 26.-The feel
ing that an amicable understanding
with Germany is virtually assured
was prevalent in administration
circles tonight, based on the belief
that the German government will
make plain statement of its inten-
ton to abide by international law
in protecting the lives Of Americans
on the seas, and will declare the
sinking of the Arabic, if it was IL
legal, to have been contrary to in
structions to submarine commanders
to safeguard American lives.
While the government has not
been advised of the issuing of such
instructions, the statement Of the
Imperial Chancellor, as well IS Am
bassador Won pernstorff's memoran-
dun to the State Department, indi-
Gates very strongly that they have
been issued. An explicit statement
from Germany that such is the case
j. looked for as the first step toward
pacific adjustment.
Incidentally, it is the Presidents
Intention to make the present case
the occasion for settlement Of the
Lusitania controversy.
Nothing short of the expected
avowal by Germany, it is believed,
will satisfy this government. The
administration is not concerned
merely with the sinking of the Ara
bic. but takes the attitude that lie
whole issue involved must be set
tied now. This settlement can come
about in only two ways-either
through 3 break in relations or
complete change in Germany's attl-
tude.
Question of Principle.
President Wilson considers ne
question one Of a broad principle,
and not Of the destruction of the
Arabic. On the principle that Amer
leans have a right to protection from
their government when travelling on
the seas in ships Of any flag, the
limited States will demand of Ger
many as the price of friendly rela-
tons that this right be explicitly ac-
knowledged.
The German Ambassador called on
Secretary Lansing to-day, and, while
he had no instruction from his gov
ernment. he was .ble . assure the
Secretary that Germany was prepared
70 WELD on the question of attacking
passenger ships. -ie expressed him.
self as hopeful that an amicable
understanding might be reached, and
stated that Germany was sincerely
desrous Of maintaining peaceful rela-
tions with the United Sta-es.
The American government, while
appreciative of the ambassadors ef-
forts to bring about an understanding.
is unalterably opposed to a long dis
cussion, and will insist that the Ger
man government give immediate as
surance that American lives Will be
protected. There is every confidence
that this will be done.
1t is understood that Germany will
revive her proposal or a modus vlvendi
for relaxation of British restrictions
on neutral commerce. Ia German
quarters it is said that this step,
which has been in contemplation IN
Germany for come time, can now be
announced. because of the victories in
Poland. German officials, it is ex-
planned, conside- that the victories in
the campaign against the Russians
permit Germany to recede step on
the sea.
The statement of the German Chan
cellor that it was still impossible TO
determine whether the submarine
commander exceeded his instructions
in destroying the Arabic, is taken as
an indication that Berlin is not yet
assured that the Arabic was sunk
without justification.
Breaking the News Gently.
officials Ielisve that the Foreign
Office is breaking the news gently 70
the Germa. public, preparatory 10 an
open tatcment Of us int 1t.on TO offer
acceptable guarantee 10 the United
States. II has been common knowledge
in official quarters here that Ger
many's reluctance 70 give a satisfas-