New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-10-05
Washington Expects More
Conferences on Arabic
fFrom Tn. Tribune Bureaul


Washington, Oct 4.-Another at
tempt to bring Germany to a full ac-
ceptancs Of tho American demands in
the Arabic case, and so to an agree
ment to keep her submarine campaign
within the law, will be made at another
conference between Secretary Lansing
and Ambassador Won Bernstorf. This
conference will probably be held on
Wednesday. certainly this week, when
the Ambassador will come from the
summer embassy at Cedarhurst.
The Ambassador will learn by how
much the memorandum ne gave Secre-
tary Lansing last Saturday failed TO
satisfy the United States. At least
one more conference will be held. and
several more may be necessary, but 1t
is not thought that they will require
much time. 1t is understood that the
Ambassador has been fully informed
AZ 10 what his government will concede
and that mis- present task is to induce
President Wilson 20 accept as much
less as possible, and 10 win for Ger
many any possible incidental advan-
tage. such as American aid in the ef-
fort to force relaxation of the British
blockade.
In spite of the unsatisfactory nature
of the last memorandum, hope is still
held, according to high authority, that
Germany will ultimately give satisfac-
tory assurances. 1t is realized that
public opinion at home is greatly ham
! pering the policy of the Wilhelm
strasse, but confidence is felt in Ser.
B Inns expressions of her desire to avoid
serious friction with the United States.
/ No consideration has been given, 1t is
said, to the course the United s, :eS
will pursue IL Germany proves obdu-
rate. but il is felt that a break cannot
come unless more American lives .re
sacrificed or some definite proof APP
pears that the policy Of sinking ships
/ without warning is 20 be resumed:
The secrecy which has enveloped the
situation since the New York confer
cree was maintained to-day, and prob
ably will be continued until the nego-
tiations with Count Won Bernstorf
bring an agreement, or reach dead
lock- These negotiations are coniidea-
tal, involving no public notes, and will
be largely verbal.
To-day was full of conferences at the
State Department and the White House.
President Wilson talked for nearly an
hour with Secretary Lane of the In
terror Department, and the Arabic sit
uation was one OF the chief topics.
Secretary Lansing also had several con-
ferences, and the general attitude to DO
taken is understood to have been out
lined. This is believed 10 involve a
rejection of any half concessions Of
fcred by Germany, insistence on full
guarantees for the future, full accept
ance of responsibility for the past and
an agreement for indemnity for all in
jury.
This government is willing, a high
official stated to-day, TO arbitrate the
amount of the damages, but will no.
arbitrate the question of whether there
shall be payment. Just how far Ger
many will 60 on the question of arb!-
trstion is not made clear.
From d close adviser of the President
IL is learned that one of the chief
grounds Of dissatisfaction with the
German memorandum is that its Lam
guage is not definite on several impor-
tsnt points, notably in its discussion OF
the responsibility for the sinking Of
IN Arabic. The previous German note
stated that the commander Of the SUD-
marine believed that the Arabic was
about to ram his vessel, but denied rr-
eDonsibility even If he were mistaken.
This memorandum is believed TO admit
the possibility OF the commanders be-
ing mistaken, but to be very indefinite
as TO specific disavowal OF his action
and as to responsibility for it.