The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1915-10-07
GERMAN PROPOSAL
NOT ADEQUATE IN
VIEW Of LANSING
American Government Not Sat
isfied With Admission of
Error in Attack Upon
the Liner Arabic.
MUST ADMIT LIABILITY
Will Not Consent to Arbitra-
ton Until Berlin Adopts
That Policy-ouestion
Has Ugly Aspects.
MUST ADMIT LIABILITY

Washington, d. c.. Oct. 5.-The Ara
bic case still continues to loom up as
an ugly obstacle to good relations be-
tween the United States and Germany.
Unless the two governments can ar
rive at a better understanding on this
controversy there is still danger that
trouble of a serious sort will result.
The specter of a break in relations is
once more hanging Owe the situation.
1t is believed here that al adjust
ment will eventually be reached. How
ever, the note which was handed to
Secretary Lansing by Ambassador Won
Bernsdorf Saturday has not smoothed
this over. This became clear after a
conference between President Wilson
and Secretary Lansing last night.
Will Confer Again.
Another conference will be held in
Washington SOC between the ambas-
sador n Secretary Lansing. Hope is
entertained that at the next conversa-
ton much may be done to clear up the
controversy.
A promising phase OF the situation. in
fac the most promising one, is that
Germany of late has been observing the
requirements of International law in
submarine a Moreover, there mas
been little submarine activity, though
this is supposed to be a Temporary luil.
Ambassador Won Bernsdorff, who is
said to be clothed with large powers in
the negotiations, takes an optimistic
view, but this is not reflected among
American officials. The latest German
note does MOI bring about an lmpasse
and leaves the way open to further ne
gotiations, and in this fact promise IS
seen for a settlement.
Much secrecy is observed concerning
the exact import of the note handed by
Ambassador Won B~ernsdorff to Score
tary Lansing.
Admits Error in Attack.
1t appears, however, that Germany a
admitted after examining the evidence
that her submarine commander vas
mistaken in assuming the Arabic was
about to ram the submarine. But Ger
many wants to arbitrate the whole
question of liability. In her former
note. Germany said she was not pre-
pared to adni liability even II the
submarine commander was mistaken.
She wants to arbitrate this proposition.
The United States insists that arbitra-
ton reach only the raount of liability
after liability is admitted.
Unofficially, it is asserted this is the
7 of the issue as it is now pre-
scented. 1t is expected Secretary Lans-
ing n Ambassador Won Bernsdorff
will ave a frank discussion of it at
their next conference.
Hope to Avoid Break.
SO long as there are no moro sub
marine tragedies invoking American
life, it is the belief here that some way
will be found to avoid trouble, espe-
clally as Germany seems to have no de-
sire for a break.
The experience of this government
since the Lusitana sinking, however,
has shown how suddenly an encourag-
sing situation can be replaced by q
dangerous and discouraging one and
consequently officials and Others In
close touch with developments are not
permitting themselves to indulge in
undue optimism.
The situation is not critical was a
narrative statement today on the
Arabic case. THE reply Of Germany
is not sufficiently specific but at the
same time it's trend is such that
negotiations will continue and a solu-
ton is expected