New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-14
Next Move in the Ara
bic Dispute Rests
with Berlin.
AMBASSADOR
HARD AT WORK
Calls On Lansing and
Starts New Effort to
Satisfy America.
WILL NEED LONG TIME
u. S. Rests Its Case Until II Gets
Plain Statement of What
Germans Will Do.
lFrorn The Tribune Bureau ]

Washington, Sept. 13.-"The stu
alton as it stands tonight is deli
cate. To deny this would be to re-
fuse to face the facts. But it is by
no means impossible of amicable adj
justment. We hope and believe a
solution will be reached without a
break in relations, but let it be en-
phasized that such an outcome de-
pends on Germany. The admins
tration is determined that the Ara
bic case shall carry with it the solu-
ton of the whole submarine prob
lem, and therefore it cannot be said
that we are entirely out Of the
woods until the German government
has given US an unequivocal state
ment which leaves no doubt as TO
its position regarding attacks on
merchant ships"
This is the situation as defined
for The Tribune by a high official Of
the State Department. Count Won
Bernstorff, however, has once mora
stepped into the breach. After con-
ferring with Secretary Lansing to-
day he began to take such steps az
he could toward obtaining from his
government the assurances that
would satisfy the United States.
The Arabic case has reached the
stage of informal discussion. There
will be no exchange OF notes until 10
is revealed that the two nations are in
agreement on principles. Secretary
Lansing will conduct the negotiationsy
personally with the German Ambassa|
dor.
During this informal discussiors
Count Won Bernstorff will communicate
by wireless with his government, and
will try TO persuade Berlin Of the me-
cessity of recognizing the American
contentious. On the success Of his
efforts hinges the successful outcome
of the whole controversy.
In Accord on Arbitration.
In the half hour conversation be- r.
tween Secretary Lansing and the Ger
man Ambassador II developed that they
we're in accord on the general inter-
probation to be placed on the German
proposal to submit the case of the
Arabic TO arbitration. The United
States. however. is not certain as 20
the conditions which Germany would
expect to impose on this procedure.
References in the German note to the
British orders instructing merchant
ships TO ram submarines lead 20 tho
suspicion that Germany will expect
this government to make representa-
tions on the subject to Great Britain.
II such an idea is in the mind of the
German Foreign Office IL will be an
insuperable barrier 70 an amicable ad-
justment Of me affair.
If such eori,tions are left out there
is every indication that the United
States will accent the proposal 10 re-
fer the matter TO an international
court. The question TO be laid before
the court. as understood By both Sec
retary Lansing and Ambassador Won
Bernstorf. is whether Germany Is lia-
bic for indemnity in case IL Is shown
that the submarine commander erred
in supposing ne was being attacked by
the Arabic. With this question Is
s.lr hot
mander Of the submarine. though mis-
taken. was justified by the Arabic's
movements in coming 70 the conclu-
sion that he did. The court might then
render any Of the following decisions;
TIE commander of the submarine
was correct IN his assumption. as the
Arabic was actually bent on destroy
ing his vessel This would be a COM
pete victory for Germany.
The commander was mistaken as 20
| the intention Of the Arabic, but the
suspicious movements Of the merchant
/ man gave him good reason for assum-
! ing that he was being attacked. In
I this case the court would have 10 con-
/ slider whether Germany should pay in
Z demnity.
The commander was mistaken as 70
the intention of the Arabic, and had
N
was being attacked The court would
then be forced TO impose not only an
indemnity, but punitive damages be-
cause Of wilful violation Of law.
Negotiations Will BE SLOW.
II is expected az the State Depart
ment that the informal negotiations on
the Arabic case will occupy week or
ton days. Count Won Bernstort -
obliged 10 communicate the views OF
this government TO Berlin and receive
instructions as 20 the course he Is TO
pursue. There is a general belief among
officials here that he is experiencing
difficulty in bringing his government
10 an appreciation of the American
viewpoint, and that several messages
may be necessary before he can make
the issue plain 70 the Foreign 0fhee.
The United StPtes, in the mean time,
rests its case. n is believed that noth-
iro NOR. ean hs saiA hv this zav.s--