The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-09-18
PEOPLE OF,GERMANY
WILL ANSWER u. s.
Business Men Asked to Co.
operate in Framing En-
pire's Reply.
BERLIN Is OPTIMISTIC

BERLIN via The Hague. Sept. IA
mos important series of conferences de-
signed TO settle Cor the remainder OF the
war all COMMANDMENT difficulties be-
gan nere today following The receipt OF
a long communication from Ambassador
Berrstorf transmitted through hmbas-
Sador ,%;erar1.
Chancellor Won Bethmann-Hollweg,
Foreign Secretary Won Jngow and
Grand Admiral Won Tirpitz had the
Bernstorfr letter under consideration to-
day. II Is understood that II contains
the evidence collected by the state De-
pdrtnent at Washington on the Arabic
Ease. Before the German answer goes
forward to Washington leading bankers,
business men and representatives OF all
Government departments will be asked
to express their views II Is realized
here that the final decision now rests
with Germany. When that decision Is
drafted IL is intended that 1t shall be
the voice of the whole German people.
Americas Reported Demands.
Ambassador Bcrnstorn. II. was made
known here to-day, will continue TO
play a prominent role In the inal nego-
t.dtions. This statement disposes OF re-
ports circulated in foreign countries that
the Ambassadors attitude throughout
the discussions was not thoroughly APP
proved by his Government.
How soon Germauy's decision will be
made known ~ uncertain. The three
rumors that one hears most frequently
here to-day are these
Frst-That Ambassador Won Bern
storm has reported that America de-
mands written and direct assurance
from Germany that her submarines will
not attack passenger ships.
Second-That America IL seeking as
surances that Germany will never make
war on her and viii never question the
Monroe Doctrine.
Third-That the whole German
American controversy is to he settled
by arbitration at The Hague.
With the Balkan situation somewhat
out of the public mind, the present dis
Cussions with America have aroused
greater interest thar any other phase
OF the submarine controversy. IL Is the
popular hope and also the popular be-
lief that the negotiations are about to
end in a manner that will be satisfac-
tory to both Governments and TO their
peoples
Under Secretary Zimmerman and
cunts Wedel. Mumm and Monteglas
of the Foreign pftce are taking an
active part in the conference begun
to-day. The big Berlin bankers and
all the most influential business men
are using their best efforts to further
more cordial relations between Ger
many n America. officers of the
g-American Line, whose con-
nections with America are so close.
are adding their influence because they
see in the event of war between the
two countries the possible loss OF the
great Hamburg-American liners now in
American harbors and the disappearance
OF the German merchant marine after
the war.
President Wilson'S decision to o
duct the negotiations through private
discussions with Germany Is greeted
most favorably by the German press.
Official circles here never understood
why America desired to publish state
documents.
Agreements on difficult questions are
best arrived at through direct discus
sion," said the LokdI An:eiOer to-day.
THE American press frequently blows
the L. glish horn, caring very little
about its Governments success in the
negotiations so long as it receives It's
daily sensation"