The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-09-11
CAPITAL AWAITS
NEW GERMAN NOTE
May Deal With Entire Sub
marine Issue in Reply
to President.
OFFICIAL VIEW GLOOMY
Mr.. Lansing Puzzled by Arabic
Observation-Disclosures
Lcssened.
OFFICIAL VIEW GLOOMY

wAsHINoToS. Sept 1o.--Disappointed
and perpiexed by Germany's note on the
Arabic case. Administration officials are
now looking forward to the receipt OF
another German note on the submarine
Issue reported to have been handed TO
Ambassador Gerard last night.
While no word has been received from
the Ambassador about a new note, the
State Department has reason TO believe
that the communication said to have
been delivered last evening il the GER
man Governments reply to the last gem
submarine question. Ambassador Won
Bernstorff some time ago let II be known
to the State Department that his Gov
erninent was replying to the Presidents
last note. and that II was his under
standing that II was favorable. 1t is
hoped here tonight that the general note
may afford a better basis for satisfaction
regarding Germany's attitude toward
the submarine issue than does her note
on the Arabic case.
According to the understanding which
has existed here for some time. the Ger
man Government had reached a definite
decision as TO the character of its re-
sponse TO the Presidents last note be-
fore the Arabic incident occurred. The
note could not be presented. as planned.
as the United States Government gave
Ambassador Won Bernstorff to under
stand that before discussing the general
question IL desired statement from
Berlin on the Arabic case.
Way Clear for Gea~raI Note.
This has now been received. and the
way Is clear for the presentation of the
general note. Meantime another case
has been laid before the Berlin Gov
ernment. that OF the Hesperian, and
there seems TO be no immediate likeli-
mood OF termination OF the exchanges.
II has been stated here that Germany
planned to send a note which would
cover all phases OF the submarine issue
with the United States in II way that
would avert danger OF a break between
: the two Governments. In the first place,
, according to information available here,
Berlin planned to meet the United
: States on the question OF the Lusltan!a
and other cases In the past and go as
far as It felt 1t could toward offering
complete sstisfac ction.
IL Is declared that Germany intended
to announce in that note for the first
time the fact that submarines were
Under orders not to attack passenger
ships without warning and without re-
gard for the safety OF those on board
unless the vessels offered resistance or
tried TO escape
Finally. II was attended To- acquiesce IN
President Wilson's statement that the
freedom OF the seas could be restored
during this war and ask him to act on
this statement that he would hold him
self ready to suggest a way by which
this could be done. This last, of course
was described here as an endeavor to
meet the United States half way and
also as an invitation to this Government
to live up to Germany's expectations
that IL would he most vigorous In seek
ing from Great Britain an obse rvance OF
international law.
Whether the Berlin Government has
adhered to this plan in the note delv-
cred to Ambassador Gerard last night
ls not yet known. II is the general
belief however. that 1t will be found
that she has not departed greatly from
what We're her intentions three or four
weeks ago
To End Boat Controversy.
II was Ambassador Won Bernstorfrs =
belief that the note. which he believed
10 have been decided on In Berlin,
would practically end the controversy
between the two Governments. It was
for that reason that as soon as he re-
ceived instructions stating explicitly
the limitation on submarine tUmmand-
ers with regard 10 passenger ships he
proceeded to the State TteDa rtment and
communicated this TO Secretary Ian
sing.
The latter proclaimed II as a recog-
milton OF the fundamental principle for
which the United States has contended
II was everywhere admitted that at
least the German statement offered
something In the nature of a beginning
OF an understanding and that IT was
not too much to hope that from this
general statement an agreement as to
the treatment OF particular cases might
be reached
The disappointing character OF the
German note on the Arabic case. how
ever. has lessened the confidence In this
regard. While It is still believed that
the danger OF complete rupture be-
tween the two Governments has largely
disappeared for the moment. there is
not that same hopefulness and conf
dence that the issue is near settle
ment that there was week ago
Should Germany admit that a German
submarine sank the Canadian liner Hes
perian. but still claim that the blame
was not hers. there Is no doubt that the
effect on Washington opinion would be
most depressing.
Secretary Lansing to-day admitted
himself to be at a loss to understand
the Arabic note, referring particularly
TO the last two paragraphs, discussing
possible arbitration. In some quarters
the conclusion was reached here to-day
that these paragraphs can he disca rd ed
since they nullify one another
Won't Arbitrate Moral Issue.
That Is. II Is declared impossible for
any court to say whether Germany
should pay damages In the Arabic ca so
without passing upon the rights and
wrongs OF the German submarine cam
paign. This question. however, Ger
many insists must he left out OF the ar
| bitration, The belief here Is that the
two propositions are mutually exclusive
and that together they have no value
| whatsoever, although II ls not for n
moment presumed that Germany so in-
tended them.
The effect of the note Is regarded here
| as resolving itself into question OF
| fact-did or did not the Arabic intend
/ to ram the German submarine?
sN.I.