Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1915-08-27
UNOFFICIAL
GERMAN NOTE
IS FAVORABLE
Assurance Given BY Germany
That U. $. Wishes Will
Be Respected.
NEW POLICY ADOPTED
BEFORE ARABIC AFFAIR
Information States German Sub.
marine Commanders Had
Been Warned.

Washington, Aug. 26.--Two import
ant developments today in the rela-
tions between the United States and
Germany further reduced the tensity
Of the situation and were taken to
foreshadow a declaration from Berlin
on the subject Of submarine warfare,
which would eliminate that source of
discord between the two countries.
Count Won Bernstorff, the German
ambassador, called on Secretary Lam
sing and informed hia, that the state
ment presented Tuesday by direction
of the Berlin foreign office saying
there was no intent TO cause loss of
American lives when the White Star
liner, Arabic, was destroyed was in
tended to imply that German submar.
inc commanders had been ordered to
attack no more merchantmen without
warning.
Report From Berlin.
Ambassador Gerard reporting from
with Foreign Minister Won Jagow.
confirmed the Associated Press dis
patches earlier in the day that Ger
many, even before the sinking of the
Arabic had adopted a policy designed
to settle completely the whole sub
marine problem. The state depart
ment did not make public Ambassa-
dor Gerard's dispatch, but the Opt.
mism Immediately reflected at the
state department and White House
was taken as true that the situation
was on tho way to settlement.
Crisis Is Past.
The more hopeful ..lcials thought
the crisis past and inferred the views
which Ambassador Won Bernstorff had
been urging upon Berlin ever since
the sinking of the Lusitania had pre-.
vailed with the support Of the Liberals
in Germany, who have been opposing
the anti-American policy of the Con
servative.
| Secreary Lansing, while outWardly
encouraged, wss reserved, awaiting
some definite declaration from Berlin
and the same attitude was reflected
! at tue Wnlte flOuSc.
' New German Policy.
One fact was outstanding in the
whole situation. 1t was that a furth
er communication is coming from Ger
many outlining a policy which, it is
said, is expected to be satisfactory to
the United States. It is understood
that Germany will announce suspen
sion of her submarine warfare on pas
senger.carrying ships and that cub
marine commanders will be instructed
not to sink any merchantmen without
warning pending a diplomatic discus
sion of the proposal for the modus
viverdi for relaxation of the British
blockade against neutral commerce.
From such information as had reach
ed sources here, it was apparent that
the sinking of the Arabic,--assMmn
| that the ship was sunk by submar
| ine,-was as much of a surprise in
Germany as it was to the rest of the
world, for although it has not yet
been officially stated, it is believed
| that German submarine commanders
after the sinking of the Lusitana re-
| "eived instructions to avoid another
such disaster.
Safety for Americans.
There is no indication at this stage
as to how Germany's new attitude
will affect the case of the Arabic. II
it should be proved to the satisfac
ton of the American government
that submarine sunk the ship with,
out warning, the United States prob
ably, not only will ask disavowal of
the act, but assurances against re-
petition and reparation for the Am
orleans who suffered.
A guarantee that thore would be
no similar act in the future, ir the
Forthcoming declaration from Berlin,
is accepted as a foregone conclusion.