New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-28
Harder Bargaining by
Germany in Arabic
Dispute Feared.
WAITING POLICY
IRRITATES u. S.
New Crisis Not Unlikely When
Won Bernstorff Gives Lansing
an Answer.

Washington, Sept. officials are
beginning 20 show irritation at Ger
many's delay in communicating assur-
Guces that the illegal methods Of the
submarine campaign will cease. This
delay they cannot explain except on
the theory that the German Foreign
Office Is not willing TO go "a far IN
satisfying the American demands as It
has indicated recently in a semi-oiiiclal
manner, and fears are developing that
another crisis may be reached when
Secretary Lansing and Count Won Bern
storH meet again.
The absence Of Secretary Lansing
from Washington IS not delaying the
negotiations. Count Won Bernstorh has
been informed that he need not retard
any communication to this government
because the Secretary is on vaca-
ton; he may send It to Acting Secre-
tary Polk, or, if he prefers, Mr.. Ian
sing will be glad 10 curtail his vaca-
ton and go to New York to meet the
German Ambassador.
This arrangement was made before
Mr.. Lansing left Washington, in order
that the German government might
have no excuse for delaying the nego-
tlatIons unnecessarily. II was expected
that II might take a week or ten days
for the Ambassador TO communicate
with his government and obtain full
instructions, and Secretary Lansing
took the opportunity 20 rest. But be-
fore leaving Mr. Lansing made 1t clear
that the length of his holiday would De
dependent entirely upon the German
government and its Ambassador.
Almost two weeks have elapsed since
the last conference between the Secre
tary Of State and Count Won BernstorH,
and officials believe the time has ar
rived for the German government to
make some move toward settling the
dispute. They DO not know whether to
Gscribe the delay TO the Foreign Office
or 10 the embassy, but incline to the
belief that Count Won BernstorF has
not yet succeeded in convincing his
government of the necessity Of taking
this government az It's word.
Unofficial dispatches from Berlin re-
Gently have caused officials 20 believe
that an amicable adjustment was as
sured. and they are at a loss to under
stand why Count Won Bernstorf IS not
instructed TO close the controversy Mt
ONE by communicating a disavowal of
the attack on the Arabic and formal
assurances that no more Illegal at
The reverses now bei.g suffered BY
the German armies on the west front
may have some bearing on the case. il
is thought At the time the Arabic was
sunk, when Germany first began TO
make concessions" to the United
States, German arms were at the
height of their success. and IL was eN-
planned that Germany's interests lay in
coaclating neutrals and keeping out
Of further foreign entanglements. In
other words. she believed she had her
enemies largely under control and
could afford" TO adopt magnanimous
policy.
Now. however, that the tide is surg
ing back. it ia thought that Germany
realize that everything must be sacri-
feed to military necessity and that the
chances for satisfactory dealings are
thereby materially lessened. Germany
may decide that the submarine cam
paign can be used to pry some conces-
sions from Great Britain, and endeavor
70 drive a hard bargain with the United
States to this end
count Won Bernstorf, however. IS
fully aware that when he next meets
the Secretary Of State he must be In
position TO offer the maximum conces-
sion that his government will make.
Secretary Lansing has informed MN
that the negotiations have dragged long
enough. and that Germany must lay all
the cards on the table or face a break
in diplomatic relations with the United
States.