The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1915-09-16
CRISIS LOOMING
IN SHIP DISPUTE
Won BeTnstOTtf Has First Meet.
Ing with Lansing.
WIDE APART IN CONTROVERSY

Subject of Arbitration Brought Up
u. S. Will Not Arbtrate Subject OF
international Law-lnssts on Prin-
eiple of ReparatIon--Facts Alone
Subjects for Hague.
Washington, Sept. 14.-The first of
a series of important conferences be-
tween Count Bernstorff, the German
ambassador, and Secretary of State
Lansing took place at the state de-
partment The purpose of the con-
ferences is to reach an amiacable and
definite understanding on the pending
issues between the two governments.
The German ambassador has been
given authority by his government to
take up every point with Secretary
Lansing Each step will be submit
ted to Berlir for approval. On his
part, Secretary Lansing will be in
constant touch with the president.
Demands of United States.
From the best obtainable informa.
ton, Secretary Lansing appears to
have told the ambassador:
First-That Germany and the Unit
ed States must come to distinct I'M
Outstanding on the German acquies-
eence to the American demands that
the principles of international law
apply to submarine warfare.
Seoond-That the United States
should know the nature and extent Of
the orders of the German admiralty
to its submarines.
Third-That the United States will
consider whether exceptional cases
are arbitrable
Fourth-That President Wilson in
sists that the questions arising out
of the sinking of the Arabia shall be
settled before the Lusitania case or
any other case is taken up.
The third point has a most impor-
tant bearing on the question whether
the United States will consent to
Germany's proposal that her liability
for indemnity in the Arabic case be
submitted to arbitration. So far as
can be learned, the secretary gave no
assurance to the ambassador that this
government would accept the sugges-
ton of arbitration
One official said that, in view of
the allinclusiye scope of the diplo-
matte interchange begun, the ques-
ton of arbitration would become Sec
ondary. The impression exists CIV.
erywhere, nevertheless, that this gov
eminent will ultimately agree to ar
bitrate questions of fact in cases
which do not involve any contraven-
ton Of the principles insisted on by
the president.
Stand of Germany.
The statement made by the German
ambassador to Secretary LANSING
was in general as follows:
First-Germany agrees to the con-
tention of the United States that no
passenger vessel shall be torpedoed
without warning and without oppor.
tun1ty for the passengers to take to
the boats unless it attempts to es.
cape or resist.
Second-Germany denies, however,
the contention of the United States
that an American citizen has the'un.
disputed right to travel on mer-
chant vessel of belligerent national
ity.
Crisis Looms Anew, Says Wilson.
Washington, Sept. 14.-President
Wilson told a delegation of visitors
from Manassas, Va, that the serious
ness of the international situation
makes it impossible for him to con-
slider any speaking dates.
1--WE are all hoping and praving
that the skies may clear" said the
president, "but we have no control
over that-on this side of the water
and it is impossible to predict any
possible course of affairs.
i find that it is impossible for me
to make promises of the kind which
you wish of me. My experience here
day by day is that questions turn I'D
SO suddenly and have to be handled
so promptly, and sometimes with so
much thoughtful discretion. that I
really dare not let my thoughts out
TO other matters"