New-York tribune., 1915-09-12
Administration Un-
willing to Accept
Responsibility.
AWAIT BERLIN'S.
ORDUNA REPLY
Officials Hoping Submar-
inc Orders May End
Uncertainty.
FEAR NEW DEFIANCE
Attempt to Justify the Orduna
Attack May Compllcate
Issue.
FEAR NEW DEFIANCE

From Tn, Tribune Bur.suI
Washington, Sept. 11.-Admitting
that Germany's explanation of the
torpeooing of the White Star liner
Arabic was far from satisfactory,
high officials Of the administration,
after sleeping over the communion
tion and realizing its consequences,
limited to-day that the United States
might avail itself of the arbitra-
tion proposal contained therein.
That the note is unsatisfactory and
disappointing was the unanimous
opinion last night. To-day, however,
when it was learned that its rejec-
tion meant one alternative--the re.
call of Ambassador Gerard, there
was a softening of opinion.
That the State Department had
received informal assurances from
the German government which
tended to soften the meaning OF the
Arabic note was denied to-day.
There has been change Of feeling,
however, among those who usually
speak with authority, and the reason
has not yet been disclosed.
Word reached here unofficially to-
day that another communication is
on its way from the German govern -
ment. This note, it is said, deals
with the Orduna case, and unofficial
reports have it that it justifes the
attempt to torpedo the Cunard liner, =
although the evidence of the passen-
gers and captain is that not the
slightest warning was received from
the submarine.
Situation Admitted Grave.
That the situation is grave is ad-
mitted on all sides here. It has
placed President Wilson and Secre-
tary Lansing in somewhat of di-
lemma. To reject it absolutely would
leave only one thing. The sinking
of the Arabic would then become
deliberately unfriendly" and the
recall Of Ambassador Gerard would
be the only course open.
If, on the other hand, proposals 20
srbtrate the question of whether
German submarine commander had
right TO assume that he was TO be at
tackled by a passenger vessel and to
send deadly torpedo into her hull be
accepted, it would mean that the ques-
tion would be tied up indefinitely
maybe until the war was ended.
While it is the understanding Of Off
cials that Germany's proposal concerns
nothing more than the right of a COM
mander to assume that the Arabic In
tended to ram his boat, there is feel
ing that Germany had in mind the
placing before The Hague OF the gem
eral question of whether any subma-
rine commander had a right TO assume,
even though mistaken, that his vessel
was in danger Of being rammed.
The President and his Secretary OF
State still have faith in Count Won
Bernstorff's memorandum which prom
iscd that 'liners" would not be torpe-
doed without warning and provision
for the safety Of those on board, unless
the vessel resisted or tried to escape.
/ They believe that IL was a bona fde
promise, and although no official con-
I firmation has come from Berlin. they
are loath TO believe that Germany has
taken a step which it must know means
the severance of diplomatic intercourse
with this country.
/ Wilson Reserves Judgment.
Because of this feeling President
/ Wilson is inclined TO take softer
view Of the Arabic note. He does not
believe Germany has been deliberately
unfriendly," but he is awaiting further
facts before placing any finality on his
judgment.
IL was said here tonight in suthori'
tative quarters that no decision as TO
the course Of the government had been
reaehed But the discussion in official
quarters Of the proposal 70 srbitrate Is
tsken TO mean that such step Is
being considered by the administration:
One OF the reasons for the belief
among officials that the SINKING Of the
Arabic. IL unjustifed, was contrary -
the orders of the German government,
il was learned tonight, is the fact that
for two months or more after the Lusi-
tania was sunk no other passenger ves-
sci was sent to the bottom Of the sea
by a torpedo from a German subma
rine.
This opinion, however, cannot be said
10 be shared generally In Washington
1t is pointed out that II the German