The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-19
V0n BernstOrff Has Re- ceived Complete Instruc- tions From Berlin and Is in Position to Adjust Differences
VON JAGOW EXPLAINS GERMAN POSITION IN
 THE ARABIC MATTER
German Foreign Minister in Special Interview Candid in Expressing Desire to Remain on Friendly Terms With the United States


 Berlin. September 1s--tvia London, 1On6 ?. m.)-A full settlement of the submarine problem can probably he arranged by negotiations In Washing ton. Count Won Bernstorff, German am- bassador to the United states, Ia in pos- session of complete information re- garding the wishes and policy of Ger many, so the Associated Press Is in- formed. and has been given power to negotiate terms of settlement with the United. stntes, subject only to final ernment.
 long report on the submarine sit- uation was received here for Count Bernstorff Thursday. and long mes sage of instructions went forward to the ambassador this morning Both dis patches were of a nature which seems to make officials confident the whole submarine problem can be speedily and satisfactorily settled
 
 are taking goes to strengthen this op- tmism. for in such conversations Count Bernstorff is in & position to communi- cate many things not adapted to inclusion in a public note, but which are of a nature to convince the American govern ment of the good faith behind Germany's assurances and the governments settled determination to remove the sources of the conflict on the submarine question. The hope is expressed here that the ne- gotiations can be pushed through without delay. and that no further Issues may be brought in to complcate a settlement
 Foreign Minister Won Jasoy said in an interview that Germany could not well repudiate the report of the commander of the submarine which sank the ArabA nevertheless, there was room for dif- ference of opinion and Germany would examine carefully the evidence from Washington.
 Assurances of Safety
 He repea ted the assurance that enemy passenger steamers which respected tho maritime code would not be attacked without warning. saying explicit direc- tions had been given the submarine com manders, and asserted the whole Ger man government stood behind this pol icy
 In his statement the foreign minister went fully into the present status of the submarine problem. and the crcum- stances which for time threatened to revive the tension between Germany and America. He expressed complete conh- dence that in view of the instructions which had been given and the precautions now being taken, the possibility of fur ther incidents in connection with the sub marine campaign which would disturb the relations between the two countries had been virtually eliminated.
 Germany. Won Jagow said. would par ticipate willingly in the negotia tions now being taken up in Washington and hopes Tor the most satisfactory results there- from
 Cause of Tension
 IL would seem, your excellency" said the correspondent that the renewal of tension in the submarine question is largely due. so far as German factors are concerned. to three main causes: First to the failure to follow up Amba ssatlor Won Burnstorffs recent declarations at Washington and the assurances commlin- icated to Ambassador Gerard here with negotiations to arrive at some moro
 
 ing forms of submarine warfare: second. to the wording of the Arabic note, parts Of which. according to English cable dis patches seem to have caused an unfavor- able impression in the United States and finally to apprehension of certain lack of harmony between German declarations Of policy as embodied in the instructions to submarine commanders. communicated by Ambassador Won Bernstorff and the practical application of this policy, whether due to accidents. misapprehen- sions or other causes under which the possibility of further enlargement of American lives at sea may not be alto gether excluded. mention these matters frankly because there seems to be reason to believe that the change from the op- timism of fortnight ago may be based on msunderstan and lack of accu- rate knowledge of the attitude of tho German government"
 The foreign minister welcomed the op- portunity to make clear Germany's posi- ton. Concerning the Arabic case he said
 German Position Defended
 We hope that our offer to refer the case to The Hague for adjudication will provide satisfactory settlement in case the United States and Germany are not able to adjust the question by direct ne- gotiations.
 We could not, you will admit, well go behind the report of the comma nder of our submarine, or question his honest be- lief. based on the Arabcs actions, that the British captain was planning to at tack his craft. particularly as long as we had against it only press reports and the word of the British camptain. And in this case the master and owners of the ship which discarded it's peaceful character as unfortunately British ships repeatedly have done, and assumed the role of ag- gressor, should be held responsible for the loss of life, not Germany.
 There may be room for honest diff ference of opinions on this point. how ever. and we are perfectly willing to thoroughly examine the summary of evi- dence which the American government has transmitted to us this very day, only
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