New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-18
BERNSTORFF
PLEDGE HOLDS
Sinking of Arabic No
Denial of Ambassadors
Assurances.
GERARD SEES JAGOW
May Open Further Negotiations
Germany Desires Chance
to Explain Practice.


Berlin, Sept. Thames W. Ge.
rard. American Ambassador, called
on DR.. Gottlieb Won Jagow, Foreign
Minister, to-day, presumably in con.
neccion with the situation surround.
ing the sinking of the White Star
liner Arabic by a German subma.
rine and the opening Of negotiations
on he submarine problem. No def.
mite information is obtainable, how.
eve", concerning the conference.
Nothing can be learned mere
which goes TO confirm the statement
made in a Washington dispatch that
il was the intention to open conver-
sations between the two countries
on the submarine situation. but Of.
ficials generally assume that the
news is correct and express the be-
lief that the difficulties between the
United States and Germany would
be on a better way toward settle
ment by such a method.
Differences in viewpoints, which
are only stiffened when laid down in
formal notes, can, it is generally
believed by the officials, be more
easily adjusted in informal conver.
sations, and all the more so, they
say, because the fundamental differ.
ences of policy have largely disap-
peared under the new instructions
regarding attacks on passenger
steamers.
The United States and Germany
it is declared, appear to be now in
agreement on the prin-
ciple involved, and it is largely q
question of adjusting cases like the
Arabic in conformity with that
principle.
Berlin Wants Chance to Explain.
Germany. it is believed here. will be
ready to consider testimony bearing on
the point of ho~ far the captain OF
the submarine was justified in his be-
lief that the Arabic was bent on at
tacking the submarine. and that in con-
versations she will have the oppor-
tunity TO satisfy the American govern
ment that her policy and practice under
present conditions will harmonize in
the future.
Reports received here that President
Wilson will make no formal reply 10
the German governments communities
tion concerning the sinking Of the
steamship Arabic, but will confer conf-
dentially with Ambassador Won Bern.
storff, are acclaimed by "Germania" as
"a new indication of the good will Of
the American government and is in
tent TO come TO an understanding with
u.s."
Previous diplomatic interchsnges
says "Germania," have been made un-
der disadvantageous circumstances, be-
cause protests TO Berlin have been re-
ported in advance in British dis.
patches.
"We believe friendly mouth-to-mouth
negotiations will serve the purpose de-
sired by both sides far better than the
earlier interchanges, this newspaper
adds.
Commenting on the conflicting re-
ports from Washington concerning the
Arabic case and its reference 70 The
Hague, the National Zeitung" says 10
understands negotiations are in
progress in Washington looking to O
removal Of all misunderstandings
These negotiations are confidential for
the present, it says, but there is def
mite reason for the hope that they Will
lead TO a favorable result.
Bernstorff Versus Arabic Note.
The present situation seems TO have
resulted from the supposed CONFLICT be-
tween Ambassador Won Bernstorf's dec
larations and the Arabic note. the ma
tional Zeitung" continues. In reality, 10
says, they were two separate and dis
tlnct pronouncements, Notwithstanding
their seemingly close conpection, mas
much as Count Won Bernstorf could not
possibly have known that the Arabic
intended to ram the submarine which
sank her The newspaper says that the
representations of the ambassador,
which already had been communicated
in substance 20 submarine commandersy
could not apply to the Arabic case, and
continues;
"The torpedoing Of the Arabic was by
no means a denial OF the assurances
which Count Won Bernstorf gave at
Washington and which were accepted
in America with such lively approval as
70 portray in the happiest light the de-
sire OF the vast majority OF Americans
10 maintain peace between the United
States and Germany. There can be no
talk of any broken word on the part OF
Germany or OF any attempt 10 free
herself from her promise.
"Crisis Appears to Have Passed"
"The crisis appears 10 have passed
again. President Wilson has not al
lowed himself TO be stirred from his
calm attitude, and the fact that nego-
tiations are under way at Washington
admits Of the conclusion that he u
willing to ssek that peaesabls under