New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-29


part would be accertable TO him; The
conference, as usual, was frank anu
omen. but the German Ambassador
found the Secretary Of State adamant
70 ANYTHING save a definite declara-
ton BY Germany that its submarine
commanders had been instructed 10
comply with the rules Of civilized war
fare.
The President and the Secretary OF
State believe that the only way IN
which Germany can clearly estaoilsh
her sincerity is 10 come forward win
n frank statement of her position IN
the case of the steamer Arabic. II
the Arabic, according 20 the report OF
the submarine commander, was legally
DESTROYED. the United States govern
ment will be glad TO examine the
grounds upon which the statement Is
made. II. on the other hand. the sink
ing of the vessel was without lustlhca-
ton, Germany's only course is TO as
avow il and make the necessary apollo
gies and PREPARATIONS.
Ambassador Pages reports to the
State Department. IN which the sworn
testimony Of the American Survivors OF
the catastrophe are summarized, indi-
cate that Germany will have great DIM
Of this government that the attack was
justified. Most Of the officials connect
cd with the. negotiations believe Ger
many will not take the chance OF at
tempting to justify the act of the com,
mander of the submarine, but VIII
admit il was not justihable under the
american idea" Of international law.
Germapy's Way Out.
The general belief is that Germany
will be forced to admit what has al
ready been forecasted in the puoIlc
statements Of Foreign Minister Won
Jacow and Chancellor Won Bethmann-
HollweC. that the commander OF the
German submarine that sank the
Arabic exceeded his instructions"
With this declaration, II will devolve
upon Germany TO advise this govern
ment uneouivocal.y Of the exact nature
of the instructions issued, III so TAR as
they affect the rights Of Americans
travelling on the high seas.
An open declaration that instructions
had been issued to submarine com
manders 70 comply with international
law and 20 safeguard American ives
and property would be &c opted by this
government rs an assurance 81 the SIN
cerity of Germany's desire - maintain
United States. This would marx the
first stop toward a complete under
standing and would dispose OF the
major issue.
There is a decided feeling here that
Germany will do these things rather
than face the prospect Of break. II Is
pointed out nat for the first time since
the controversy with Germany was
opened by the German war zone or
der. Germany is taking the initiative
and is making the advances. Up TO the
present the United States has been the
appellant, while Germany has turned a
deaf ear TO the protests.
Germany is now giving every appear
ance Of anxiety over the situation,
while the United States is calmly sit
ting back and awaiting developments.
Officials bel eve that now is the time TO
test Germany's sincerity and TO sound
the rcai depths of her pIotestations or
friendship.
Ven Bernstorf Hopeful.
Count Won Bernstorf will leave
Washington tomorrow for New York
TO await instructions from his govern,
ment which he confidently expects viii
lead 70 negotiations that viii bring a
speedy and wholly satisfactory conclu-
SION 20 the enIle controversy. OH4e79
the situation in Berlin wholly changes
before the dispatches are sent. the am
bassador believes he Will be authorized
10 reopen informal discussions with
Secretary Lansing to the end that
note may be framed by the German
government entirely satisfactory TO the
United States.
So far as The State Department is
concerned, formal presentation Of the
Arabic case to Germany still awaits re-
ceipt from Ambassador Gerard a. BeF-
lin Of the German Admiralty report on
the destruction of the ship Dispatches
from Berlin tonight SAID the repot
I0ight be made any day or might be de-4
layed fortnight. Until the Admiralty
statement is received, however, no
progress on the pOurparlers can be ex-