New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-15
Washington Thinks
Controversy Will
Rest a Fort
night.
EXPECTS CHANGE
IN BERLIN NOTE
Won Bernstorff Counted
On to Induce Modifica-
ton of Terms.
MUST MEET DEMANDS
Nothing Short of Disavowal of
Torpedoing of Liner Will
Satisfy the U. S.
MUST MEET DEMANDS
From Tn. Trbun, Bur,.u1

Arabic controversy, it is believed
here tonight, has been laid on the
shelf, where it will remain for at
least two weeks, unless something
unexpected arises. While the
chances of a break with Germany
were acknowledged in many quar-
ters to be considerable yesterday, all
signs point to-day to a period Of
quiet, followed by a quick and final
agreement on the questions at issue.
AS an evidence of his confidence
in the situation, Secretary Lansing
is planning a ten-day vacation, be-
ginning on Saturday. Count Won
Bernstorff is also going back to New
York, and will have no further con-
ferences with Secretary Lansing un-
til he receives from Berlin an an
swer to his request for instructions.
At the White House, however, the
controversy with Germany is still
regarded as in critical stage. II
is asserted by officials that nothing
/ short of a disavowal by the German
government of the torpedoing of the
Arabic will be satisfactory. Ualess
this is forthcoming, il is intimated,
|. Ambassador Gerard will be recalled.
Ambassador Won Bernstorff is
confident Of obtaining from his gov
ernment a modification or explans-
tion of the Arabic note. There is
feeling in German quarters that the
real intention Of the German gov
ernment in this note was not made
clear and that the United States
has chosen TO aiopt the harsher in
terpretation.
The ambassador is trying TO OBJ
tain from Berlin a statement ampli-
flying or qualifying the clauses con-
cerning indemnity, making il clear
that Germany does not decline Ie-
sponsibility when it can be proved
that her commander was mistaken
in assuming he was about TO be
rammed.
In addition, the ambassador ex-
poets to persuade his government to
back up his memorandum guaran-
teeing safety TO unresisting liners
with a definite statement of its at
titude on this question. outlining
clearly the steps that it has taken
to safeguard American lives on the
seas. Should he fail in this, the
case of the Arabic will drift back 70
the condition it was in when the
liner was sunk.
Amieable Settlement Expected.
The situation, summed up from in
formation received from all authentic
sources on both sides Of the eontro-
versy, gives every reason to hope that
an amicable adjustment will be reached
at the end of fortnight Of waiting.
Ambassador Won Bernstorf has fur
nijhed a statement Of this governments
complete argument in the Arabic case
TO his government and outlined the
steps that will be necessary to satisfy
the United States.
Information presented 10 the smbas-
ssdor by Secretary Lansing includes the
evidence submitted by American sur
vivors, which the Secretary has stated
to be very convincing" II has been
impressed on Count Won Bernstorn that
the explanation Of the attack in the
German note does not square with the
facts as this government sees them.
The ambassador believes that the
Arabic note failed TO define accurately
the German view and left one or two
points open TO neutrality-suspicious.. In
quarters close to the embassy IL 10 de-
clsred that Germany did not mean to
decline responsibility In cases whore II
could be proved that the commander
WAS In error, but orly in case the Ger
man commanders word was placed
against that Of an English commander.
n Germany can be induced TO M
dorse such q sentiment 10 doubtless
will 20 far toward convincing the
United States Of Germany's good faith.
II would leave the way open for con.
alteration OF the evidence in the Arabic
case, and, failing an agreement on this
point, would permit an acceptance By
this government Of the proposal -
arbitrate.
Clear Statement . Necessity.
without this statement Of Germany's
| attitude on the question OF indemnity
the good f,lth Of the snaoans'msAs