Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-08-25
OFFICIALS WONDER
AT CHANGE AT BERLIN
Intimations Rscsivsd Rssardins Sink
ing Of Arabic In Direct Conflict
With Answer to Protest Of United
States Over Sinking Of Lusitania-
Washington Now Hopeful Of Avoid
ancs Of Open Rupture With Kaiser.

T.,
next communicati ton from Berlin on the
sinking Of the Arabic will be OF
character satisfactory to the United
States. Coming close on the telegram
which the ambassador forwarded to
the state department yesterday by di-
rection OF his government declaring 1t
was not the intention OF Germany that
any American lives should be sacrificed
in the sinking Of the ship. this develop
ment was retarded as indicating that
Germany would make some proposal
satisfactory to the United States re-
specting submarine attacks on vessels
purely Of a pa assenger- carrying nature.
Officials are at a loss to conjecture
what the German government will pro-
pose, but the assurances that there is
every desire in Berlin to avoid break
with the Uuited States has relieved
the situation very much
To Change Attitude?
Heretofore Germany has contended
that neutral lives could not insure
belligerent ship against attack, espe-
cially those carrying munitions. In Its
reply to the first Lusitania note Ger
many proposed to designate certain
ships which would be guaranteed
axainst attacks, but the American
government rejected that proposal Of
ficiais were eager to know what posi-
tion Germany would now take without
surrendering her contended rights to
submarine warfare against enemy
commerce.
The aim of President Wilson and all
administration officials to avoid rup-
ture with Germany. but to do so with
out any surrender Of the natural rights
for which the United States has been
contending., in the name OF interna-
tional law ard humanity, ':2S -eflerfed
by officials Informally while discussing
this latest phase Of the situation. They
we're hopeful that disavowal of the
submarine commanders act In sinking
the Arabic without warning would be
Forthcoming, but the administration is
ready to listen to Eerlin's next words.
Wilson Still Stands Firm.
While the officials earnestly hope
that the message from Count Won
Bernstorff will pave the way for more
satisfactory adjustment of the situa-
tion. IL was stated by one Of them that
II the Arabic was sunk by German
submarine without justification. moth
ing short Of an apology and an offer OF
5reparation by Berlin would cause the
president to alter his determination to
withdraw Ambassador Gerard from
Berlin and send Ambassador Won Bern
storf homo.
But many officials are confident
that Berlin IL prepared to apoloize and
TO make an offer Of reparation in the
case OF those lost.
Germany May Yield All Points.
There - also strong belief in some
quarters that the German government
may seize the present opportunity to
reply to the presidents last message, on
the sinking Of the Lusitania, practi-
cally conceding the United States po-
sition and formally guaranteeing the
safety Of all neutrals In the war zone.
It was pointed out that Germany
could well do this without reducing the
scope of its submarine warfare mater
tally. In return for such q guarantee
ii is possible that an effort would be
made by the administration to have
congress enact legislation at the COM
Ing session to prevent ships carrying
munitions Ct war from carrying pas
sengers at the same time. Officials who
believe that Germany Is about to come
the whole way in the dispute with the
United States say this country could
hardly avoid reciprocating to that ex-
tent.
Telegram Skaters Gloom.
The Won Bernstorff telegram was re-
csived at time when the administra-
tjon had about reached the conclusion
that there was absolutely no hope left
fof tie maintenance IF friendly rela-
lions between the United States and
Germany. Ambassador Pages latest
report had just been received at the
state department. It indicated without
q doubt thai the Arabic was sunk by q
submarine and there was no justifica-
tion whatsoever for the act. The am-
bassador made It clear that the Ara
bic was not warned and was not at
tempting to run away. that 1t did not
try to ram the submarine. and that It
was not under convoy.
Tho Page report confirming press
dispatches from London, had been sent
over to the White House for the presi-
dents consideration.
A1idavits Tell of Sinking.
Z London, Aug. 26.@The American
embassy cabled to Washington yester-
day the gist Of six afIidavits OF Amer
lean survivors OF the Arabic. Accom-
paying these was the affidavit Of
Captain Finch OF the liner. All agreed
that the Arabic was torpedoed without
warning and that she did not try to
ram the submarine. which was not seen
before the attack.
Fach dsponent said under oath - i