Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1915-08-26
VON BERNSTORFF
SEES LANSING ON
ARABIC INCIDENT
Understood to Have Reiterated
German Intent Not to En-
danger Americans.

WASHINGTON. Aug. 26.-Count
lvon Bernstorff, the German ambas-
lsador, conferred with Secretary Lam
Using nearly an hour this morning, and
while both refused to discuss their
meeting in any way. it was under
stood the ambassador reiterated that
1t was not the intenr of the German
government that any Americans
should be lost on the Arabic.
Another communication, supple
menting that which the ambassador
transmitted to the state department
| Tuesday, is expected from Berlin,
and pending its receipt Count Bern
storff will remain at the embassy in
! Washington.
It is confidently believed the next
word from Germany will be an an
nouncement that pending further
negotia tions submarine warfare on
passenger ships will be discontinued
and that submarine commanders al
ready have been instructed to sink
no merchant vessels without warn
ing.
1t is understood that Germany, at
the same time, will revive her pro-
posal for a modus vivendi for relaxa-
tion of British restrictions on neutral
commerce. In German quarters 1t
was said that this step, which had
been in contemplation in Germany
for some time, could now be an
nounced because of the victories in
Poland. German officials, 1t was ex-
planned consider that the victories
to their arms in the campaign against
the Russians permit Germany to re-
cede step on the sea.
Count Bernstorff brought nothing
to the state department to supple
ment his telegram of Tuesday or the
over night news dispatches contain
ing the German Chancellor's state
ment broadly inferring that a settle
ment of a character satisfactory to
the United States probably would be
made in the case of the Arabic. The
ambassador, however, reiterated his
previous disclaimer of any intent that
Americans should be harmed, and it
was indicated that today's conference
was arranged by the State depart
ment rather than the ambassador.
No engagement had been made to-
day for the ambassador to visit Pres
ident Wilson and the indications were
that none would be made at this
stage. No report had been received
from Ambassador Gerard, who was
instructed to inquire If the German
government had report on the sink
ing of the Arabic, but news dis
patches informed officials that the
ambassador had made inquiry and
found that the government at Berlin
had none.
Situation Seems Better.
Count Bernstorff's visit to Secretary
Lansing and the advices from Berlin
containing the German chancellor's
! statement have put much better
face on the whole situation. There is
a notable relaxation of tension at the
White House and at the state depart
ment. 1t was made plain at both
places today that while officials were
much encouraged by the apparent de-
sire of Germany to avoid a break
with the United States, the president
will not finally decide on his course
until he has before him a definite
statement of the Berlin governments S
intentions.
1t seems certain now that there will
be diplomatic exchanges in the Ara
bic case. In addition to satisfying the
American government in that single
instance they are expected to take on
a. general character covering subma-
rine warfare and the general rights
of neutrals on the seas.