The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-09-14
TENSION MUCH LESS
N ARABIC SITUATION
Won BernstorH ExertA Himself to
Clear Up Germany's Latest
Submarine Munder.
BERLIN WILL
ACT IN GOOD FAITH
Long Conference Between Secretary
Lansing and German Ambassador
Believed to Have Smoothed Troubled
Diplomatic Waters.


crptibac let-dO,sn In the tension
created by the submarine issue
with Germany has resulted from
AN exchange of views on the sub
jee1 to-day between Secretary Lam
sing and Count Won BernstOrff, the
German ambassador. This Is the
lag development of the day In the
grave situation TINT has arisen be-
tween the two countries. In his
conference with the Secretary Of
State. Count Won BernstorfY re-
Teated the assurance given him
weeks ago that his government
intended To carry out In good
faith the rule that liners shall not
be destroyed without warning un-
less they attempt To escape or re-
siSt German submarine COM
Iskanfiers.
Secretary Lansing urged that meass
ures be taken to sec to II that TIN
rule is enforced in letter as well a.
in spirit.
AS result OF today's exchange
there ss ii decided feeling OF optimism
I'm official quarters tonight. While II
would not lie true to say that all dam
ger between the United States and
Germany has entirely disappeared. Of
hcials assert that today's exchanges
indicate that the two governments are
in harmony In the desire to adjust
the difficulty.
II is known that President Wilson
and his associates are very hopeful
OF any adjustment of the difficulties
with Germany on basis satisfactory
to the United States,
In the conference today between Sec
retary Lansing and Count Won Bern
storff a new effort to bring the two
governments 10 an understanding ON
the submarine issue Was initiated.
New Stage In situation.
This marks new stage in the situa-
ton. in that underwriting has been
a andonad for the moment in favor OF
direct discussion between the two gov
ernments. Those most intimately con-
cerned in the endeavor about to be
made are most hopeful that this meth
cd will bring results. They believe
that at least IL will put stop to
the irritation caused In both countries
by the two governments bomhardtng
one another with notes.
The immediate obstacle which Ii Is
sought to remove by this process of
direct discussion Is the difficulties
raised by the German note on the Aba :
bic case. Is Is the firm belief here
on the part Of both the German en-
bassy and the administration that II
the difficulties presented by the Arabic
case can be smoothed away, settlement
of the whole issue will follow. This
confidence il based on the German
pIadge of it's intention not to attack
passenger shops without warning con-
stitutes a recognition OF the principle
for which this government II contend
Ing and that 1t remains only to square
German action In the Arabic case with
this assurance.
BernstorRs Coed Work.
Upon Ambassador Bernstorff rests the
initial responsibility for the endeavor
to bring the German position on the
Arabic case more closely into accord
with its statement OF general principle.
1t IL understood that he II preparing to
transmit to his government . complete
statement Of the attitude of the United
States toward the Arabic case, with
suggestions as to how his government
can meet the Washington government
On the issue involved In this specific
case. 1t is considered here that the
amha ssador can present Mr.. I4ansing's
statements to his government with
great force, as their conference was
preceded by visit Of Mr.. Lansing to
the White House SO that II may prop
erly be assumed that all the secretary
had to say to the ambassador represent
ed the Views OF the President himself
Ia the situation. 1t 10 not doubted here
but that this point will not be lost
sight of In Berlin when the govern
ment there undertakes tho considera-
ton Of Ambassador Bernstor1's re-
ports.