Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-09-14
ARABIC CASE
NOT ONE FOR
ARBITRATION
United States Takes Firm
Position in Latest Con-
troversy.
GERMANY MUST
FIRST DISAVOW
Must Rspudlate Action Of Submarine
Commander in Sinking Linsr-united
States Willing 90 Submit Question Of
Indemnity 70 Arbitration When Dis
avewai 10 Made Germany Wants
Bar Against Rammins.

discuss with Germany the question Of
arbitration In connection with the
sinking Of tho Arabic. 1t was stated
today by . high government official
that "the question Of arbitration is
not IN issue"
u was explained with authority that
what the American government first
!, watnts II disavowal OF the attack on
tho Arabic. Afterward. 1t was indi-
cated the American government may
!, be willing to arbitrate the indemnity.
Berlin Must Reeeds.
( Count Won Bernstorff has communi
Gated the American. n.government's posi-
ton to Berlin and he Is expected to
receive a reply in a few days.
: While officials realize that the situa-
ton Is grave. they are hopeful that
when Berlin hears Of the position TAX
ZEN here the action will be disavowed.
I Full opportunity has been given Count
Won BernstorR to communicate with
his home government.
II was said today that the ambassa-
dor ana Secretary Lansing discussed
entirely the question Of disavowal
Pledge Will es Kept.
Tho Ambassador made 1t clear to the
secretary OF state that there was no
purpose on the part Of his government
10 evade the spirit Of the assurances.
He asserted that the Instructions to
submarine officers were specific in re-
! @0ufrin0 Axlsom not to- attack without
fxSaSsfns. Ck eourse II vessel sought
"a escape or resisted different situa-
tion would be created.
Mr.. Lansing insisted that the bur-
den OF proof that ship was attempt
ing to escape or resist must rest upon
the submarine commander
Wants Bar on Ramming.
Count Won Bernstorf argued that
the room for doubt would be restricted
n the British government could be in
duced to cancel the orders given to
commanders Of merchant ships to ram
a submarine whenever and wherever
they saw one. The German ambassa-
dor made II clear that he Is less con-
cerned about the future than he IL
about the Arabic and Lusitania incl
dents.
He believes that as result OF the
care which German submarine officers
. .a~ill observe there will be little If any
cause for complaint on the part OF the
United States.
He urged Mr.. Lansing to accept ar
bitration in case Of the Arabic. point
ing out that there was sharp d.
vergence OF views relative to the way
In which the steamer was destroyed.
All the Information reported to his
government confirmed the declaration
of the submarine commander who
sank the Arabic that the latter had at
tempted to ram the underwater craft.
Secretary Lansing furnished Count
Won Bernstorff with the facts obtained
by this government not only from
English sources but from Americans
aboard the liner. showing that the
submarine was not sighted, that no at
tempt had been made to ram the Ger
man ship and that the torpedo struck
near the stern OF the English boat.
Wants DisavowaI by Germany
Secretary Lansing indicated that
this government was convinced Of the
correctness Of the evidence in its pos
session and he believed Germany
should disavow the act Of the subma-
rine commander.
AZ Mr.. Lansing had been in confer
ence with the president during the
morning. the German ambassador real
ICED that the secretary of state was
expressing the views of the chief ex-
ecutive.
Mr.. Lansing further advised the
German Ambassador that arbitration
OF the question Of tho value OF the
American lives lost by the action Of
German submarines was repugnant to
this government.
The treaty with Prussia provides
specifically that Americans shall be
permitted freely and safely to travel
thru the waters Of Germany's enemy.
This treaty has been violated. Com
sequently there Is no need for arbItra-
tion. !,
osrnstorm 10 Shown.
lt was learned that the ambassador
had the opportunity at the state de-
partment to carefully examine a mass
Of evidence gathered by the United
States, giving in technical detail the
position Of the Arabic. the British
steamer Dunsley, and the German sub
:sar!ne
The proof offered is understood to
be that the German submarine was at
right angles to the Arabic when firing
the torpedo and the liner could not
see the submarine. because up to the
moment Of firing 1t was concealed be-
hind the Dunsley. These facts have