Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-08-26
NO MORE PASSENGER SHIPS
LIKELY TO BE ATTACKED
Ambassador Disclaims Any Intent
on Part of Germany to In
jure Americans.
WHITE HOUSE IS RELIEVED
Feeling Here Is Teutons Desire to
Continue Friendly With q. S.
and Reparation and Dis
avowal Are Sure.

Count Won Bernstorff, the German am
bassador conferred with Robert Lans-
ing, the Secretary of State, for nearly
an hour this morning, and while both
refused to discuss their conference in
any way, it was understood that the
ambassador reiterated that it was not
the intent of the German government
that any United States citizens should
be lost on the Arabic
Count Won Bernstorff arrived in
Washington late last night, and ap-
peared at the State Department this
morning shortly after 10 o'clock, with
his fae wreathed in smiles, an atti-
tude regarded as significant, fnasmuch
as it has been generally understood
that the ambassador has consistently
given advice to the Berlin foreign office
which might be regarded as favorable
in making clear the position of the
United States as to submarine warfare.
Following the ambassadors visit to
the department, it was understood that
another communication, supplementing
that which the ambassador transmitted
to the State Department Tuesday, is
expected from Berlin. Pending its re-
ceipt it is expected that the amba ssa-
dor will remain at the embassy in
Washington.
No More Attacks on Passenger Ships.
1t is confidently believed in Washing
ton today that the next word from Ger
many will be an announcement that
pending further negotiations subma-
rine warfare on passenger ships by Ger
many will be discontinued and that
submarine commanders already have
been instructed to sink no merchant
vessels without warning.
1t is understood that Germany, at the
same time, will revive her proposal for
a modus vivendi for relaxation of Brit
ish restrictions on neutral commerce.
In German quarters it was said that
this step. which had been in contem-
plation in Germany for some time,
could now be announced because of the
victories in Poland. German officials,
it was explained. consider that the vic
tories to their arms in the campaign
against the Russians permit Germany
to recede step on the sea.
Brings Nothing New.
Count Bernstorff brought nothing to
the State Department 10 supplement his
telegram of Tuesday or the overnight
news dispatches containing the German
chancellor's statement broadly infer
ring that settlement of a character
satisfactory to the United States prob
ably would be made in the case of the
Arabic. The ambassador, however, re-
iterated his previous disclaimer of any
| intent that Americans should be
harmed, and it was indica ted that to-
days conference was arranged by the
State Department rather than the am
bassador.
No engagement has been made today
for the ambassador to visit President
Wilson, and the indications were that
none would Be made at this stage NO
report had been received from Ambas-
sador Gerard, who was instructed to
inquire if the German government had
a report on the sinking of the Arabic,
but news dispatches Informed officials
that the ambassador had made inquiry
and found that the government al Ber-
lin had none.
Better Face on Situation.
Count Bernstorff's visit to Secretary
Lansing and the advices from Berlin
containing the German chancellors
| statement have put much better face
on the whole situation. There is a
notable relaxation of tension at the
White House and at the State Depart
ment. 1t was made plain at both places
| today that while officials were much
| encouraged by the apparent desire of
Germany to avoid a break with the
United States, the President will not
| finally decide on his course until he
| has before him a definite statement of
| the Berlin governments Intentions
1t seems certain now that there will
| be diplomatic exchanges in the Arabic
| case In addition to satisfying the
American government in that single
| instance they are expected to take on
! a general character covering subma-
| rine warfare and the general rights of
neutrals on the seas.
| American officials have understood
for weeks that German submarine COM
| manders had been given instructions
| after the sinking of the Lusitania de-
| signed to meet the representations of
| the United States, and therefore the
sinking of the Arabic was a double
| shock
Reparation Proposed.
| The tenor of Berlin dispatches late
| last night and early today, especially
| the declaration of the German chan
cellOr that proper reparation would be
| made if the submarine commander eX-
| ceeded his instructions and the public
| sinking of the Lusitania had taken
steps to prevent another such dSa ter,
| renewed the feeling in official quarters
| here that friendly relations between
! the two countries would not be broken