Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1915-09-16
ISSUE RESTS
SOLELY WITH
KAISER NOW
Wilson Said to Be Determined
to Sever Relations Unless
Berlin OisavoWs Attack
on Arabic.
EXPLANATION TOO WEAK
Informal Discussions May Lead
to Solution President Is
Known to Have Defin-
itely Decided Course.
EXPLANATION TOO WEAK

Washington D. c.. Sept. 16.-Noth-
Ing is expected to develop in the sub
marine controversy between Germany
and the United States until Germany
has replied to the American proposal
that she disavow the sinking of the
liner Arabic with loss of American
lives
Should Germany fail to satisfy
the American demand for disavow-
a, indications today were that the
Washington government would
follow its original purpose to sever
diplomatic relations.
President Wilson has checked the
matter of continuance of friendly
relations entirely to the Berlin gov
ernment The president cannot accept
the German explanation Of the attack
on the Arabic.
Where Wilson Stands.
President Wilson'S attitude in the
German situation was set forth by per-
sons close in his confidence today.
If the position Of the president is
unalterable, as 1t is believed to be, 1t
means the United States and Germany
are either going to have better un-
derstanding on the submarine question
y
That President Wilson, as the result
of a series of unsatisfactory exchanges
with the German government and as
the result of the seeming indisposition
of the German admiralty to live up to
the assurances given to this country on
submarine warfare as shown in the
Arabic case, is determined that the
rights of this nation must be in good
faith respected or diplomatic relations
will be abruptly cut, Is the information
obtained here from excellent sources.
Anticipated Ruction.
This is what the president had in
mind when he made his recent speech
declining an invitation to go to Ma
naSsas. in the opinion of men close to
the administration:
Germany will be. expeeted, to VA
diaayoss the action. OF the sub-
inarifo commander in the Arabic
case. Otherwise, there will be
crisis Of the first magnitude. The
upshot will be severance OF rela-
session and preparations for even-
But while this is true. it is still the
view in well informed quarters today
that a break will be avoided over the
Arabic case, about which, at present,
the submarine issue is centered.
Task for Bernstorff.
AS the result of the talk with Sec
retary Lansing Monday Count Won
him to obtain from Berlin dis
avowal in the Arabic case. This
government is willing, after that, to
arbitrate on the matter of indemnity.
But the Overwhelming evidence in
the hands of the state department has
convinced the president the Arabic
was attacked without justification.
Can't Accept Story.
The president is said to believe that
explanation that he believed the liner
was about to attack his craft does not
tally with the fact that the Arabic
was torpedoed in the stern. while the
submarine, until the time of submerg-
ing, had been concealed from the view
of the Arabic by the hulk of the steam
er Dunsley.
Tension was lessened today and
there was more hope in both the state
department and German quarters of
friendly adjustment than there has
been for several days. Much empha-
sis was placed on the fact that for
the first time since relations became
strained informal discussions are
proceeding at both Washington and
Berlin and the freest opportunity for
an exchange OF views confldentially
and informally has been made pos
man quarters that understandings
might now be reached in advance of
the writing of formal notes.
Principle Not Issue Now.
In view of the evidence, the United
States wants disavowal Of the act
and this was made clear to Count
Won Bernstorff. Arbitration cannot
attitude Of the German government
toward the act itself is placed on rec
ord. Later the American govern
ment may take under consideration a
proposal to arbitrate, not the prin-
ciple but what indemnity should be
paid for lives lost.
The paramount question is whether
Ambassador Won Bernstorff, who has
advised. his government OF the evidence
in the hands Of the state department,
will be able to impress his government
with the fact that it is the part of wis
dom to disavow the Arabic attack.
Germany Has Way Out.
In high quarter, it was pointed out,
today. that Germany could, without
any detraction from her dignity. say
that. after study of the evidence, she
was convinced the submarine COM
mander was not Justified. and offer
reparation. the amount to be decided
by 2 commission.
It will probably be some days. per-.
haps two weeks. before solution is
reached. or diplomatic impasse is
arrived at Ambassador Won Bernstorff
does not expect to be back in Washing
ton for 10 days or two weeks. Secre-
tary Lansing Is going away at the end
of this week Tor a short period of well
earned rest.
The state department has not been
informed by Ambassador Gerard of the
result of his recent conversations with
the German foreign office. but officials
here are hopeful that press dispatches,
telling of a better understanding, are
true.
FRANCE / PREPARED.
Paris. Sept 15.-The ministry of
marine announced today that measures
had been taken, which would enable
the navy to deal with German subma-
rines. The official statement dealing