Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-08-25
Desire Of Kaiser to Keep
Friendly With American
Government.
CHANGE IN METHODS?
German Admiralty Believed
to Have Partially Receded
From Previous Stand.

Berlin, Aug 25. (via London. 4:45 p.
M - The American ambassador.
James W Gerard, called on Foreign
Minister Won Jagow last evening and
asked for information concerning the
sinking Of the steamship Arabic. III
Gerard learned that the government
had no Official news whatever on this
Buhtect
The only information which the
government has is that contained in
uez spaper dispatches from abroad,
which throw little light on the cir
gunstances attending the destruction
Of the steamer. It is not even clear
whether the disaster was due to a tor
pe5o or a mine and whether, in case
the vessel was torpedoed there were
special circumstances which impellsd
the commander Of the submarine To at
tack the Arabic.
Until official advices have been re-
cejved definitely clearing up points the
foreign Office viii hardly be in a posi-
ton TO discuss the case or make anv
definite policy concerning the affair.
officials Of the foreign Office make It
very clear that they have no intention
of nouting the United States or seeking
no bring about 8 situation such as that
dealt with alphabetically in the last
American note.
Ambassador to See Lansing,
New York, aug, 25.-Count Berns-
tori. the German ambassador to the
United States. remained in seclusion
here today with bis plans for the next
few days undeveloped. He had re-
cetved no further advices from Berlin
bearing en- the sinking Of the Arabic,
he said, and did not know when such
word would be received.
1t was within the range Of possi-
bEliGes. the ambassador said, that he
would go to Washington to confer with
Secretary Lansing before receiving
further word from Berlin. but this
would be. If at all, on Secretary Lain
sings invitation Unless he should re-
ceive such a request. Count Bernstorf
said he expected to remain here tenn
porarily He probably would 60 to
Washington, he asserted, as soon as
he should hear from Berlin again On
tle Arabic incident
Communication 10 be Satisfactory.
Washington, D. c., Aug. 25.-Presi-
dent Wilson has been informed un-
officially from sources close TO Count
Won Bernstor1. the German ambassa-
DOR that the next communication from
Berlin on the sinking Of the White
Star liner Arabic would be Of a char
acter satisfactory to the United States
Coming close on the telegram which
the ambassador forwarded to the state
department yesterday by direction Of
his government declaring 1t was not the
intention of Germany that any Ameri-
can lives should be sacrificed in the
sinking Of the ship. this development
was regarded as indicating that Ger
manv would make some proposal, sat
isfact0ry TO the United States. respect
Ing submarine attacks on vessels pure
iy Of q passenger carrying nature.
Officials are at q loss to conjecture
what the German government will pro
pose. but the assurances that there is
every desire in Berlin to avoid q break
with the United States has relieved the
situation very much.
Heretofore Germany has contended
that neutral lives could not insure a
helHgerent ship against attack, espe
cially those carrying munitions. In its
reply to the first Lusitania note, Ger
many proposed 10 designate certain
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