LAW AT SEA

  Insists on Warning by Submarines

  TIRPITZ PARTY BEATEN

  Kaiser Expected to Approve New Policy

  “New York, Sunday.

“Cables from Mr. Carl W. Ackerman, Berlin correspondent of the United Press published here, indicate that the real crisis following the Arabic is in Germany, not America.  He writes: 

“The Berlin Foreign Office is unalterably opposed to submarine activity, such as evidenced by the Arabic affair, and it was on the initiative of this Government department that immediate steps were taken with Mr. Gerard the American Ambassador.  The nature of these negotiations is still unknown to the German public.

“It is stated on the highest authority that Herr von Jagow, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and Chancellor von Bethmann-Hollweg are unanimous in their anxiety to settle American difficulties once and for all, retaining the friendship of the United States in any event.

“The Kaiser is expected to approve the course suggested by the Imperial Chancellor, despite open opposition to any disavowal of submarine activities which constantly emanates from the German Admiralty.

“The Chancellor is extremely desirous of placing Germany on record as an observer of international law as regards sea warfare, and in this case will win his demand that submarines in the future shall thoroughly warn enemy ships before firing their torpedoes or shells.

“There is considerable discussion in official circles as to whether the Chancellor’s steps create a precedent, but it is agreed that it will probably close all complications with America, including the Lusitania case, which remained unsettled following President Wilson’s last note to Germany.

“Thus if the United States approves the present attitude of the Chancellor this step will aid in clearing the entire situation and will materially strengthen the policy of von Bethmann-Hollweg and von Jagow, which is a deep desire for peace with America.”

After this despatch was printed I was called to the home of Fran von Schroeder, the American-born wife of one of the Intelligence Office of the General Staff.  Captain Vanselow, Chief of the Admiralty Intelligence Department, was there and had brought with him the Manchester Guardian.  He asked me where I got the information and who had passed the despatch.  He said the Navy was up in arms and had issued orders to the General Telegraph Office that, inasmuch as Germany was under martial law, no telegrams were to be passed containing the words submarines, navy, admiralty or marine or any officers of the Navy without having them referred to the Admiralty for a second censoring.  This order practically nullified the censorship powers of the Foreign Office.  I saw that the Navy Department was again in the saddle and that the efforts of the Chancellor to maintain peace might not be successful after all.  But the conferences at Great Headquarters lasted longer than any one expected.  The first news we received of what had taken place was that Secretary von Jagow had informed the Kaiser he would resign before he would do anything which might cause trouble with the United States.