The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-09-09
White Star Vessel Turned.
He Says, AS if to Ram His
Submarine.
GERMANY REGRETS
LOSS OF AMERICANS
Questions of RepaatiOn and
Compensation Left to
Hague Tribunal.
Special Cabie Despatch to ms .rS.

Spscidi Cdb'e Despatch to MS srN.
BERLIN. via London. Sept s-The
German Foreign Office at s o'clock last
night handed to the American Am
bassador. James W. Gerard. Ger
many's note covering the sinking OF
the White Star liner Arabic by
German submarine on August 10, cost
ing the lives OF two Americans.
The note is based upon the report
made officially by the commander of
the submarine that sank the Arabic
to his chief Grand Admiral Won Tir-
pitt.
Self-defence is the plea of the sub
marine commander. He declares that
a sudden move on the part of the Ara
bic to turn toward his craft led him
to believe she was heading for the
submarine TO sink 1t. Then he fired
the torpedo TO save his vessel. his crew
and himself.
The note expresses in addition tho
deep regret of the German Govern
ment that American lives were lost
as n result Of the action of the Ger
man submarine commander. The
question of reparation and compen-
sation for the loss OF American lives
the German Government offers to re-
fer to the Hague tribunal for settle-
ment.
Commanders Instructions.
The German note gives in detail
the instructions to submarine COM
manders concerning the treatment of
liners. They are ordered not to at
tack a passenger vessel except in case
of an attempt to escape after being
ordered to halt. or unless its actions
indicate the intention to attack the
submersible.
The right To sink a passenger ves-
sci after the passengers and crew have
been placed in boats is not affected.
supposedly, by these instructions.
such. in substance. is the contents
of Germany's note, which is now being
transmitted To the American State
Department II covers four type
written pages.
While the Admiralty up to late
hour tonight has not given out any
statement in connection with this lat
est development, THE SUNS corre-
spondent learns from an .uthentic
source that the submarine COM
mander sent in his report a few
days ago. This disproves reports that
the Arabic's destroyer had been sunk
with the crew by a British patrol, as
well as rumors that the crew was
captured by the British after the Ara
bic was sunk.
The German commander says that the
Arabic swung around and headed toward
the freightcr Dunsley as II TO attack the
submarine. He remained in doubt as TO
tip intentions OF the Arabic when she
changed her course few points, but
still kept headed In a direction that was
bringing her Learer 10 the scene. He
states that he continded to observe the
actions of the liner until he saw her
again change her course and head di-
rectly for the spot where the submarine
lay. Then the submarine commander
says he believed his craft was in danger.
hence he submerged and fired torpedo.
Await American opinion.
| Already speculation il rife in official
| circles here as to how the United States
will receive Germany's explanation. The
| consensus is that the diplomatic discus
sion which Is Bound to follow the note
will deal primarily with the question as
| to what constitutes self-defence.
As to the sinking of the Hesperian
| the press is needing the request voiced
! In "A note issued by the semi-ofhciai
| Wolffs Bureau several days ago and Is
making little argument, In official cir
| Cles no one appears To believe that a
German submarine destroyed the Allan
| t,.,lii La, oil IL Ifz