New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-09
GERMANY SAYS
ARABIC WASSUNK
TO SAVE U-BOAT
Official Note Offers to
Submit Question of Rep
aration to The Hague.
SUBMARINE AFRAID
OF BEING RAMMED
Commander SO Reports to Ad.
miralty-Search of Vessels
Ordered Hereafter.

Berlin, Sept. 8 (via Londcn, Sept. O..
$3.50 a. m.).-Germany's note TO the
United States concerning the sinking
Of the White Star line steamer arabic
by German submarine was communi.
Gated to James W. Gerard, the Ameri-
can Ambassador, yesterday evening.
The note ascrites the destruction of
the liner TO an act of self-defenct on
the part Of the submarine, expresses
the German governments deep regret
that American lives were lost thereby,
ard offers to refer the questions of
ieparation and compensation to 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 pas
senger steamer except in case of an
attempt to escape after il is ordered
to halt or unless its actions indicate
an intention to attack the submarine.
This action followed the return to
its base of the submarine which tor
torpedoed the liner Arabic. Its COM
mander reported the Arabic's actions
were such that he believed she was
about to attack the Submarine. He
fred, he said, in self-defence.
q. The commander Of a German subma-
rine which has returned to its base has
reported to the Admiralty that he tor
pedoed the liner Arabic in the belief
that the Arabic's action indicated she
was about to attack the submarine and
that he fred in self-defence.
According to the U-boat commanders
report, the submarine was engaged IN
destroying a freighter when the Ara
bic was sighted. Inc submarine was
then on the surface.
The Arabic. the commander declares,
swung around and headed toward the
freighter as IL to attack the subma-
rine. The commander of the undersea
craft remained in doubt as 10 the in
tentions Of the Arabic. when the lat
ter changed her course few points
but still kept headed in a direction that
was bringing her nearer TO the scene.
The captain reports that he contin-
ued 10 observe the actions of the liner
until he saw the Arabic again change
her course and head directly for the
SPOT where the submarine lay, as If she
had sighted the undersea boat: Ihen
the commander of the submarine. be-
lieving his craft was in danger. sub
merged her and fired a torpedo
. Report Communicated to Gerard.
This news was communicated i'm
mediately to James w. Gerard, Ameri-
can Ambassador, for TRANSMISSION 10
Washington. .
Prior to the receipt of the report Of
the submarines commander Admiralty
officials were of the belief that the sub
marine had been lost. No reason for
her delay in returning TO port has been
given.
A high official of the Foreign Office,
in discussing the case with The Asso.
ciated Press, said the commander OF
the submarine evidently had adequate
reasons for believing the submarine
was about TO be attacked and was
justified in taking steps necessary 10
save his boat and crew. The torpedo
ing of the ARABIC, accoTuinS 10 thiS VI
fetal, could not be considered an un-
provoked attack without warning, but
measure of self defence which the COM
mander of the underwater boat was
compelled TO adopt by the alleged sus-
picious actions of the Arabic.
The news of the return of the sub
marine and the commanders report has
rot vet been published in Germany.
There is still no report available mere
with regard to the sinking of the Allan
Line steamer Hesperan.
Doubt U-Boat Sank Hesperian.
Persons in a position to speak with
tho couvic