The Washington herald., 1915-09-02
Germany Makes a Beginning.

many is published by the State Department a
" Nashngton, giving promise OF assurances to conn
that may remove the causes which have placed il
imminent peril the friendly relations between Ger
lmany and the United States. While Ambassador
Won BernStorfs letter to Secretary Lansing is no
conclusive, it does proclaim change in Germany:
method OF naval warfare whch-if the liberal in
terpretation given to it here proves be justified
will safeguard the lives of all Americans travelling
the seas on peaceful errands in the future This
government must yet receive satisfactory assur-
ances that the announcement that Liners will not
be sunk by our submarines without warning and
without safety of the lives OF noncombatants pro-
vded that the liners do not try to escape offer
resistance" does not alone apply to vessels be-
longing TO passenger lines but includes all nom
combaant ships, which there may be Ameri-
cans as passengers members of the crew. And
when this assurance has been given there will
main the questions of disavowal of the destruction
OF the Arabic and the killing of two Americans,
and reparation for all the American lives sacr-
hccd by the savage mode OF warfare which we are
told has been ended. Obviously the sinking OF
the Arabic must be dsavowed, for if it is not then
it is an admission by Germany that she is guilty
of a deliberately hostile act which is not to be
wiped from the score by the mere announcement
that Germany's changed methods of naval war
fare are guarantee against its repetition
The tension between the two governments has
been greatly reduced, and on the surface it ap-
pears that only formaes are to be complied
with in order to restore measure of the good
feeling that existed before the Lusitania outrage
That abhorrens deed, however, will no. be for
gotten by the American people, who may be de-
pended upon not to make the mistake Of regard
ing Germanys changed policy as a concession to
mite hall bar
for refraining from numbering our citizens and
assailing our national rights
There is much that is mysterious about Am |
basSador Won Bernstorffs communication to Sec |
rotary Lansing. 1t contains the suggestion that |
Germany intends to abandon submarine warfare |
altogether, or that she has discovered some |
method to overcome the danger of giving warm
ing to her victims, which was one OF the excuses |
she advanced in former communication for the
I-usitania murders.
The Ambassadors announcement that the
changed policy of his government was decided
on before the Arabic incident occurred is inter
sting and inspires speculation that SIay never be
satisfactorily terminated. There is almost no room
or doubt that German submarine sank the
Arabic, though Germany has not yet admitted it.
And it is uncomfortable that a naval commander
cted in deliberate violation of orders Whv had
le not been nothed OF the change in policy?
And-still more puzzling-why did not Germany
ficiay notify the United States government OF
he change in policy when it was determined on,
t some time prior to August 10, the date on
which the Arabic sunk? For practically an
ntire month then the people of the United States
ad been waiting mpatiently to learn what re-
ponse Germany would make to this governments
nal note on the Lustana outrage, their indigna- 4
on ready to burst beyond bounds if more Ameri- q
ans were kllcd-as it did when two went to their
DOM with the Arabic. Did Germany hold the
sing tide OF American anger in contempt, scoring .
ur warning until the outburst which followed the
estruction of the Arabic convinced Berlin that the
nted States must be conciliated or Won Bern o
orff would be given his passportso 1t would be
teresting TO know how long before the Arabic d
as sunk the change in policy was determined on n
nd also why Berlin postponed notifying us for
ro weeks, even after that momcntous event None d
these are vital questions, nor will they become IT
II Germany proceeds to confirm and ampfy u
&c promise given by her Ambassador Yesterday
Secretary Lansing. They may all be answered
citing various eXIgencics OF diplomacy or war;
re, but while so many mysteries remain, 50 must =,
ner1cas conviction OF Gcrmanys insnccritv We d
I'VE every reason to believe and be thankful that sc
'stiites with Germany have been avcrted and If fc
that VIC contend for is gained it will not be "
,Ccssary to inquire whether it is because Ger
any yields to the representations OF this govern
cnt or merely changes her monstrous policy be- "C
use ID no longer serves her own ends Nc