Saturday news. (Watertown, S.D.) 19??-19??, 1915-08-26
German DisayoWal
in the Sinking Of the
Arabic by Submarine

Washington, u. Cit WAS announc-
ed at the state department today that
Ambassador Gerard probably viii be
directed to call the German govern
ment's attention to the sinking OF the
White Star liner Arabic and to invite
an explanation.
This was the first indication from
any official source that Germany will
have an opportunity to give the rea-
sons for the attack apparently In dis.
gard of President Wilson's solemn
warning that such an act would be
regarded as deliberately unfriendiy.
The state departments attitude is
that If the German government has
any facts which in its opinion go to
mitigate the circumstances OF the at
tack, such as an attempt to escape or
an attempt to resist or attack the sub
marine, the Berlin foreign Office
should have opportunity to present
them.
Today's announcement moreover,
indicates that before President Wilson
takes any action, there may be some
exchange of diplomatic communities
tions
WISHES 20 fAtOIQ BTCdk.
1t is understood that the state de-
partment's policy is to show the Ut
most deliberation consistent with the
delicat question and to omit no oppor-
Etunity of avoiding a sew srance Of re-
.dtions with Germany SO long as there
,, is a reasonable expectation that a
Sufficient excuse can e given Tor the
|sinking of the Arabic.
Secretary Lansing said he can do
no more now that has been done, and
Ills awaiting official informat ton ,neces-
esary to determine the governments
iponrse
Vice Consul Thompsonts latest dis
patch to the state department from
Queenstown. confirms the White star
Hines statement that only two Amer.
leans on the Arabic's passenger list
|sare unacconnted for. They are Mrs.
Josephine Sather Brugiere OF New
York and San Franc5Sao. and DIR.
Edmund f. Woods Of GAINESVILLE,
Wis, who was returning TO his home
from three months service with the
American ambulance at Netifiay
France. Il. 4ssl s7zsss..
" = At{
| German Disclaimer
New7York Aug. rs -. The text Of the
German message, given ont by Couni
Won Bernstorf yesterday afternoon
read:
"The German ambassador received
the following instructions from Ber
lin which he communicated to the
department of state:
So far ,no official confirmation is
available concerning the sinking o1
the Arabic. The German government
trusts that the American government
viii not take definite stand at hear
ing only the reports OF one side
which, In the opinion OF the imperial
government, cannot correspond with
the facts, but that chance WIN be
given to Germany to be heard equal
ly.
although the imperial government
does not doubt the good faith of the
witnesses whose statements are re-
ported by the newspapers Of Europe.
it should be borne in mind that these
statements are naturally made under
excitement which might easily pro-
siuce wrong Impressions.
sssf Americans sla0uld actually have
lost theirs lives, this would naturally
be contrary to our intentions. The
German governme ent would deeply re-
gret the fact and begs to tender sim
cerest sympathies to the American
government"
The statement was given out from
Count Won Bernstorffss rooms in an
unltoWn hotel. The ambassador de-
MED himself to all callers yesterday.