New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-25


was torpedoed denial is believed to
he out OF the question.
A justification, il is pointed out,
would have TO rest either on the GROUND
that the Arabic was endeavoring 10 es
cane after being warned TO stop, haa
ottempted to attack the submarine or
was being conveyed by war vessels
The afidavits of American survivors,
however, declare that none OF THESE
circumstances was present and that the
attack was totally uniustihaole-
Self-defence Probable Plea.
The German statement that no infor-
nation has been received from the SUP
marine commander makes the nature OF
the German plea, when information Is
hnally received, a matter OF purest con.
;ec,nTe Unless a complete denial Of
fhe attack is entered il is thought PROB
sable that Germany will plead that the
Submarine acted in self-defence, be-
lieyinc itself about TO be attacked by
the Arabic.
The affidavits of survivors TESTIFY
that a torpedo was seen approaching
the vessel al right angles, which would
dispose of the theory that the liner
was trying TO ram the undersea boat
Persons close to the White House
intimate. however. that the President
might be impelled to accept an eX-
planation from Germany, prov ded he
was convinced of a sincere desire Tor
reaceful and friendly relations on the
mart of the German government. This,
Of course. could not be done If the
German explanation was directly re-
futed by unimpeachable testimony
from eyewitnesses.
The prime object of the German
memorandum. officials think, may be
20 open a diplomatic discussion that
might occupy several weeks. and. as
in the Lusitania case. give the Amerl-
can public time to calm down. The ad-
ministration. however, is determined
rot to be drawn into controversy
with Germany. and after the receipt
Of the German explanation Will declde
on the course il is to pursue without
further paIley. A..
II is plain to officials. however tha'
the attitude of the German govern
ment toward the United States has un-
dergone a great alteration since tns
last note on the Lusitania affair. and
officials are casting about for an ex-
tlaration of It,
Notes Taken as formalltles.
It was stated that until the "delib-
,rotelv unfricndly" note was dis
ratched. Germany had no idea that the
United States would 20 to war or oven
break off relations for a mere prlncl.
nle Germany's whole concepton OF
war II is said, is that nations under
take IL solely for gain in some form
and since the United States could gam
nothing by war with Germany 1t was
o. not conceivable in Berlin that the
rotes Of this government were more
than mere formalties intended FOR
home consumption.
The intentions Of the United states
were made so apparent, however, IN the
recent note, that Germany was ooliged
20 revise her notions and TO coneluoe
that this country might open hostill-
ties on grounds Of principle. ms, II
is held. explains the anxiety OF the
Berlin government now.
T. Is asserted also that Germany oe-
Ieves her fortunes are on the upgrade
since ihe reported failure OF the Quad
ruple Alliance 10 enlist Balkan aid
against Turkey. and that Berlin IS
hopeful of peace before the end OF the
wear. With the entrance Of new
enemy into the field. it Is pointed out
the hone Of reaching this conclusion
would be materially lessened.
Summaries of the afh@avits made by
American survivors TO Ambassador
Page and Vice Consul Thompson were
received at the State Department TO-
dsv. No announcement of their CON
tents was made, because Secretary
Lansing was obliged TO cable for adj
ditional information on certain points
that were not made clear. The cyl
dence will not be given to the public
il was stated, until it is in complete
form.
Secretary of the Interior Lane called
at the State Department to-day TO IN,
form himself on the situation. He had
an hours interview with Secretary
Lansing. who read TO him Ambassador
Pages summary of the afiidavlts'