Evening star., 1915-07-16
Count Won Bernstorff Believes
Latest German Note Paves
Road to Settlement.
GIVES SECRETARY LANSING
HIS GOVERNMENTS VIEWS
Urges u. s. Consider Mediation
With England Of Entire Cues
ton of Freedom Of Seas.

Count Won Bernstorff, the German
ambassador. today told Secretary Lam
, sing he believed the German reply to
the last American note on submarine
warfare presented opportunity for set
tlement Of the controversy by further
diplomatic negotiation.
The ambassador conferred with Sec
retary Lansing an hour and talked
later with Assistant Secretary Phillips
In the absence Of President Wilson,
Secretary Lansing was unable to in
form the ambassador what course the
United States would pursue In its next
note. He heard with much interest
Count Won Bernstorff's explanation of
the purposes Of the German govern
ment to satisfy public opinion at home
on the maintenance of submarine war
fare and. at the same time. to main
tain friendly relations with the United
States.
Urges idea Of Mediation.
The ambassador personally Is con-
vinced there will be no repetition OF
the Lusitania disaster and that Ger
man Submarines now are exercising
great precaution to avoid incidents
which inflame public opinion in the
United States. With that idea in mind,
he urged that the United States take
advantage Of the intimation In Ber-
Inns reply, that Germany would be
willing to have the entire question OF
freedom of the seas mediated with
Great Britain through the American
government.
Such course, American ofhcials
have indicated, might be more welcome
If accompanied by some assurance that
during the tendency Of the negotia-
tions American vessels and lives would
be safe from attack and danger:
Interview every Satisfactory"
Count Bernstorff declined to reveal
what had taken place at today's con-
ference beyond saying 1t was very
satisfactory interview. and he felt en-
couraged to believe the danger Of a
rupture IN relations had been reduced.
He based his optimism on the view
the German government did not want a
break and would do all in its power to
prevent one. He Is confident that the
United States holds similar view. The
ambassador is strongly of the opinion
that diplomacy will be able to settle
the issue.
The ambassadors interview was en-
tirely informal. He came without
special instructions from his govern
ment. That, however, is not unusual,
as he would be expected by his foreign
Office in such a situation to exert every
influence toward bringing about an
understanding. He sent long report
on his visit by wireless to the Berlin
foreign office. Secretary Lansing would
make no statement on tho conference.
Nebraskan Incident Discussed.
The torpedoins Of the American
steamer Nebraskan, for which Ger
many has expressed regret and prom
ised reparation, also was discussed.
The ambassador discussed with Mr..
Phillips arrangements originally made
for the safe conduct of DR.. Anton
Meyer Gerhard, who went to Berlin as
personal envoy of Count Won Bern
storff. Safe conduct was given for DR..
Meyer Gerhard with the idea that he
would return to the United States Now
1t is believed he will not return and ar
rangements are being made to relieve
him of any pledge he may have given.