The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-09-20
YON JAGOW'S WORDS
GIVE WILSON HOPE
L. S. Does Not Expect Ger
many to Repudiatc Captain
who Sank Arabic.
But MUST ADMIT MISTAKE

WASHINGTON. Sept. I9.-while officials
declined to-day to comment on Foreign
Minister Won Jagow's conciliatory and
I optimistic interview on the submarine
controversy between the United States
and Germany. IL was Indicated that they
regarded IL as "A gratifying and hopeful
sign.
Ofncials have previously made 1t plain
that there will be no discussion of the
situation with Germany in this country
through the medium OF interviews by
members OF the Administration The
policy at present Is to refrain from all
public comment ON the matter pending
positive action by Germany. The WASH
ington Government is waiting for Ger
many TO support its recent friendly
statements with official communications
and acts.
From Minister Won Jagow's interview
II is presumed here that II will be only
a few days now before Ambassado
Hernstorff returns 10 Washington TO re-
sumo his discussions with Secretary of
state Lansing. which were suspended
while he waited further instructions
from Berlin. According to the reports
from Berlin these instructions are now
on the way 20 the Ambassador and II Is
supposed that within two or three days
they will be In his hands unless they are
t'IllIE ny lt
The fact that Secretary Lansing has
gone AVA on a vacation may. It Is
thought. serve to delay the Ambassa-
doris return TO Washington or, II is sug-
gested. 1t may result In Mr.. Lansing
cutting short his rest. Mr.. Lansing
went away in the belief that much more
time would be required for the German
Ambassador to hear from Berlin.
The report from Berlin that the in
- rttgttApa 81. thu ., Ia 9nalna 10. ,,.at
liberal and give him practically a free
hand In the negotiations IL regarded
here as a most hopeful sign. Members of
This Government are inclined 10 agree
with Count Won Bei nstorff, who some
time agn reached the conclusion that the
prospects for an amiCable adjustment OF
the submarine issue would be immeas-
uIably frightened II the matter could hc
handled sole,y by direct negotiation
rather than through interchanges OF
notes.
Many officials had como to believe that
the notes with which the two Govern
mcnts had been hombarding each other
not only did not aid the situation. but
even tended To make matters WORSE. II
has been pirtcd out that the German
Cove nmelt particularly. on account IF
the intense public opinion at home aud
popular enthusiasm for the submarine
pr Elhllllu', tOuld not IN publlrlcd nptcS
go quite So far toward meeting the views
of the United States as might he possible
in direct discussion with Washington
The words Of Minister Won JagoW are
taken here as conclusive proof that d, ~
certainly the desire Of Berlin now L. re-
moN" tho submarine conts yersy as a
souIcc ~ danger To- the relations between
the tWo Governments.
The immediate issue OF course IL the
Arabic cast" II VAS pointed out here to-
day that this Government r. not expect.
Ing Germany To r"pudiatc the statements
Of ~" G"rma0 submarine commander a.
go what he IN ught the intentions uf the
Arabic were with respect tp him II re-
uli.fs urlN that the Herman tioVeru-
m"rt admit Id the evidence gathered
hy the lr.r'u states. and last week pre-
scented 20 germany. indicates hat the
subma..g" y Mmander Was mistaken.
ON the crnInd that he Was mistaken.
the tinted states feels hat q disaNowal
of his ac' IS necessary to meet the pos.
ton Of this Government.