Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-09-09
SINKING oF THE ARABIC
Germany Sends Note 10 L. ;. 'on-
cerning Sinking of White
Star Liner

Berlin, Sept. 9-Germany's note tc
the United States concerning the
sinking of the White Star steamer
Arabic by a German submarine was
communicated to James w. Gerard
the American Ambassador yesterday
evening.
j The note ascribes the destruction
OF the liner to an act of self-detense
on the part of the submarine, EXPIRES
ses the German governments deep
regret that American lives were lost
thereby. and offers to refer the ques-
ton of reparation and compensation
10 the Hague for adjustment.
The note reveals in detail the in
structions to submarine commanders
concerning their treatment OF liners:
They are ordered not TO attack a
passenger steamer except in case
of an attempt TO escape after 1t Is
ordered to halt or unless its actions
Indicate an intention to attack the
submarine.
This action followed the return to-
it's base of the submarine which tor
pedoed the liner Arabic. It's comman-
der reported the Arabic's actions
were such that he believed she was
about to attack the submarine. He
fred, he said, in self-defenSc.
According to this report, the sub
marine, which was then on the sur
face. was destroying Il freighter
when the Arabic was sighted.
The Arabic, the commander de-
"lares, swung around and headed to
ward the freighter as if to attack thu
submarine.
Berlin, Sept. 9--lhe commander Of
German submarine, which has re
'urned to it's base. has reported &c
he admiralty that he torpedoed the
liner Arabic in the belief that the
Arabic actions indicates that she vas
about to attack the submarine, and
hat he fired in self-defense.
According to the submarine com
nander's report. the submarine was
engaged in destroying a freightcr
when the Arabic was sighted. The
submarine was then on the surface
The Arabic, the commander dec
Iares. swung around, and headed to
ward the freighter, as if to attact
.he submarine. The commander Of
he underSea craft remained in doub'
IS to the intentions of the Arabic
when the latter changed her course
scw points, but still kept headed in
direction that was bringing her
iearer to the scene.
The captain of the submarine re-
ports that he continued to observe
he actions of the liner until he saw
the Arabic again change her course
md head directly for the spot whelT
he submarine lay, as if the Arabic
had sighted the undersea boat. Ther
the commander of the submarine.
believing his craft was in danger
he declared submerged her, and fir
ed a torpedo.
The report of the officer was COM
municated Immediately to James W.
Gerard. American Ambassador. for
transmission to Washington. Prior to
the receipt Of the report of. the sub
marines commander admiralty Off
,ials were of the belief that the, sub.
marine had been lost. No reason fol
her delay in returning to port ha:
been given.
A high official of the foreign office
said the commander of the submarine
evidently had adequate reasons 1o'
believing the submarine was abou'
to be attacked, and was Justlhed II
taking steps necessary to saw hi:
coat and crew.
The torpedoing of the Arabic, &C.
cording to this official could not be
considered an unprovoked attack with
out warning. but measure of self
defense which the commander of the
underwater boat was compelled to
| adopt by the alleged suspicious ac-
tions of the Arabic.
-O-
| w. T. A, Jr., the young son Of Rev