The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1915-08-27
THOUGHT THAT CASE IS
BEYOND DANGER POINT
Believed Now the Whole Sub
marine Question Will be
Settled.
WILL ELIMINATE DISCORD.
Before Sinking of Arabic, Modi-
fled Submarine Orders.

fed Submarine Orders.
Washington, Aug. 26.-Two devel-
opments today in relations with Ger
many further reduced tension and
were taken to foreshadow a DECLARE
tion from Berlin on submarine war
fare which would eliminate that
source of discord.
Count Bernstorff, the German am
bassador, called on Secretary Lansing
and informed him that the statement
presented Tuesday by direction of
Berlin, saying there was no intent to
cause loss of American lives when
the White Star liner Arabic was de-
stroyed, was intended to imply that
German submarine commanders had
been ordered to attack no more mer-
chantmen without warning.
Ambassador Gerard, reporting
from Berlin the substance OF con-
ference. with Foreign Minister Won
Jagow, confirmed Associated Press
dispatches that Germany, even be-
fore the sinking of the Arabic. had
adopted policy designed to settle
completely the whole submarine
problem. The state department did
not make public Ambassador Ger
ards dispatch but the optimism ap-
parent at the state department and
the White House was taken as con-
vincing proof that the situation once
threatening a break in friendly rela
tions. was on the way to settlement.
The more hopeful officials thought
the crisis past and inferred that the
views which Ambassador Bernstorf
had been urging on Berlin ever since
the sinking OF the Lusitania had pre-
vailed.
Secretary Lansing, while outward
ly encouraged, was reserved. await
ing some definite declaration from
Berlin; and the same attitude was
reflected at the White House. where
il was indicated that President Will
son, encouraged at the prospect of
averting break, would keep his
mind open until all details are clear
ed up.
One fact was outstanding in the
whole situation. 1t was that fur
ther communication is coming from
Germany outlining policy which, il
ia said, is expected 70 be satisfactory
TO the United States. 1t is under
stood Germany will announce her
submarine commanders will be in
structed not to sink any merchant
men without warning pending dip
lomatic discussion Of a proposal for
a modus vivendi for Relations Of
the British blockade against neutral
commerce.
From such information as had
reached sources here it was apparent
the sinking of the Arabic-assuming
the ship was sunk by submarine
was as much of a surprise in Ger
many as to the rest of the world
for although 1t has not yet been Off
cially stated, it is believed German
submarine commanders, cffer the
SlHhiuS VI Tue icSclNSN
instructions to avoid another such
disaster.
1t was suggested TODAY In diplo-
matte quarters that while Germany
had avoided making a public an
nouncement OF that fact, she now was
in position to do so because of tho
victories Of the German arms in Po-
land. The same sources pointed out
that the victories of the German
armies aided the leaders in Ger
many who had been contending for
the views which Count Bernstorff has
been urging on his foreign Office.
The Berlin news dispatches refer
ring TO the German chancellor's dec
laration that Germany had adopted
policy designed to settle the question.
was puZZling to American officials
and even to those in German quar-
ters. II was suggested 1t might fore
shadow diplomats" negotiations to
work out a modus vivendi.
Carried No Specie$.