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Show WANTS DISAVOWAL SIM1G0F ARABIC SITUATION IS GRAVE; INDEMNITY INDEM-NITY QUESTION NOT MADE ' AN ISSUE. Secretary Lansing and Von Bernstorff Discuss Situation; Ambassador Has Communicated Wilson's Demand to Berlin. Washington. The American government govern-ment is not yet willing to discuss with Germany the question of arbitration in connection with the sinking of the Arabic. It was stated Tuesday by a high government official that "the question of arbitration is not in issue." It was explained authoritatively that what the American government first wants is a disavowal of the attack at-tack on the Arabic. Afterward it was indicated the American government govern-ment may be willing to arbitrate the question of indemnity. Count von Bernstorff, the German ambassador, has communicated the view of the American government to Berlin and it is expected that he will receive a reply within the next week or ten days. The United States is disposed to give him full opportunity to impress on the Berlin government the view of President Wilson as disclosed dis-closed to him yesterday by Secretary . Lansing. While officials realize that the situation situa-tion is grave, they are hopeful that when Berlin learns of the facts in possession of the state department, the act will be disavowed. The department de-partment has given Count von Bernstorff Bern-storff full opportunity to communicate with his government and Secretary Lansing has promised him to afford every facility for representing the American view. It was said that the ambassador and the secretary discussed entirely the question of a disavowal. It was learned that the ambassador had the opportunity at the state department 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 marine up to and including the time the torpedoes were fired which destroyed de-stroyed both vessels. The proof offered is understood to be chiefly that the German submarine was at right angles to the Arabic when firing the torpedo and that the liner could not see the submarine because, up to the moment of firing, it was concealed con-cealed behind the Dunsley. These facts now have been transmitted through diplomatic channels to the German foreign office and officials are waiting to learn what effect a study of this evidence in Berlin will have on the point of view of the German govern ment. |