The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1915-09-01
WILL RESPECT
AMERICAN RIGHTS
so SAYS GERMAN AMBASSADOR
~ TO SECRETARY LANSING
....,t.., IN CONFERENCE
PRESIDENT WINS
NOTABLE VICTORY
Germany to Alter Her Submarine
&. Warfare on Passenger Ships and
Neutral Shipping-Americans to
Be Safe at Sea.

Washington, Aug. 27-Extreme
optimism prevailed in Administration
circles to-day following a second
conference between Count Won Bern
storff and Secretary of State Lam
sing. This was true both at the
White House and at the State De-
partment. 1t was accepted that there
would be no hitch in reaching COM
,plete understanding with Germany
whereby in the future the submarine
warfare will be conducted along lines
demanded by the United States.
It is learned this afternoon that
the memorandum of Won Bernstorff
handed to Secretary Lansing pledged
satisfaction to the American Govern
ment in terms far stronger than even
the most optimistic had hoped for. 1t
is understood that Germany has given
assurances that the submarine COM
mander will be fully punished if it be
proved that one deliberately sank the
Arabic. In Washington circles this
afternoon this news was greeted with
great satisfaction.
Ambassador Gerard, at Berlin, has
confirmed the statements made by
the German Ambassador here that
Germany has instructed her subma-
rine commanders that there shall be
no further torpedoing without warn
ing of passenger-carrying boats on
which there might be Americans.
I. Triumph for Bernstorff.
, Intimates of Count Won Bernstorff
fatty declared that at least he had
prevailed over the German naval ex-
tremists headed by Grand Admiral
Won Tirpitz. They say that the re-
cent statement of the imperial Chan
cellor and Foreign Minister Won ia
gov have been almost duplication
of language used by the Ambassador
in his suggestion as sent to Ber-
lin. The new policy, they insist, was
framed by Won Bernstorff, and marks
the first well-deined effort on the
part of Germany to line up neutral
sentiment on her side.
According to German Embassy
sources the question of accepting re-
sponsibility for the Lusitania and
making reparation for the American
victims of that tragedy is being han
died in Berlin through Ambassador
Gerard. All that Count Won Bern
-storff has been directed to do is to
restore an amicable understanding
and prevent any break in diplomatic
relations as a result of the sinking
of the Arabic. 1t is reliably reported
that Ambassador Bernstorff made it
plain that Germany would give salts
faction in full for the sinking of the
Arabic. This was taken to mean that
an apology will be sent the United
States if it is proved that a German
submarine sent the Arabic to the
bottom. The question is being han
died directly by Foreign Minister Won
Jagow and Ambassador Gerard in
Berlin.
Count Talks Frankly.
Ambassador Won Bernstorff today
presented to Secretary Lansing a
copy of his instructions received from
the German Foreign Office. These
included the summary of the in
,structions that already haye been is
sued to the German submarine COM
manders.
1t is understood that Count Won
Bernstorff talked very frankly to Sec
retary Lansing. He told him that
Germany valued the friendship of the
United States too much to sacrifice
it to a momentary success.
Secretary Lansing stated after
ward that he could not make public
at this time any of the cablegrams re-
ceived from Ambassador Gerard. He
admitted frankly that the message
dealt directly with the submarine
campaign and that the Ambassador
has made it plain how important this
Government believes it to be that a
complete understanding be reached
at this time. The Secretary's entire
attitude is extremely hopeful, but he
said that until the entire question is
settled no official statement will be
made by his department.
The memorandum that the Am
bassador left with Secretary Lansing
was submitted to President Wilson