The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-08-24
Emperor Breaks Silence Fol-
lowing Arabic Sinking.
Asks No Final Stand Be Taken
Till Truth Is Known.
WILSON WILL WAIT AWHILE
Gerard Is Instructed to Watch
for Report.
First Ray of Promise in Ad-
mittedIy Grave Situation.

New York. Aug. 24.-lf 1T was
due to the action OF German
submarine that American citizens
lost their lives in the torpedoing
of the steamship Arabic, such ac-
ton was contrary to the inten-
tiOnS of the German government,
according TO official advices re-
ceived today by the German am
bassador from Berlin and tele-
graphcd by him to Washington.
1t was also said in the communi-
cation that the German govern
ment would deeply regret such u
loss of life and would tender the
Sincerest sympathies to the Amer
lean government.
Washington. Ang 24.-Count
Won Bernstorff, in his telegram,
said that if any Americans had
been killed "it WAS contrary to
the intention of the German gov
ernment" and that it was not
the intention of the German gov
erment to sink any peaceful mer-
chant ships in a flagrant manner.
Washington, Aug. 24.-Germany,
through her ambassador, Count Won
Bernstorff today asked the United
States not to take a final stand on
the sinking of the White Star liner
Arabic until all the facts We're known.
1t was the first word from Germany
since the disaster.
the state department today saying he
made the request at the instruction
of his government and added that the
German admiralty had not yet been
able to get a report on the sinking.
Won Bernstorff Wires Plea.
Count Won Bernstorff, telegraphing
from the summer embassy at Cedar
hurst, Long Island, at the behest of
the German goyeEnnent, asked that
no step be taken sltitif all the facts
have been aScerta4hed and the Ger
man government has had opportun-
ity to give its version of the sinking
OF the ship, which cost the lives of
two Americans, apparently in de-
fiance of President Wilson's warning
that such an act would be deliberate
ly unfriendly.
The ambassadors telegram was not
made public, as officials We're in some
doubt whether to give it out here or
wait for Count Won Bernstorff to do
so in New York. Meanwhile they
declined to discuss it.
The ambassadors request was TAX
en- as an indication that the German
government may have facts which,
in its opinion, Justify the action of
the submarine commander. 1t comes
uation which admittedly was growing
darker with each hour of silence on
the part of Germany.
Now, in view of the ambassadors
request, the state department can do
but wait a reasonab ble time
for word from Berlin. Ambassador
Gerard has been instructed to watch
for a report. but has not been told
to ask for one.
Meanwhile. the state department is
gathering evidence from all other
to supplement what it al
ready has but considers too frag-
to be of full value. When
some word is received from Germany,
the governments action will be de-
cided.
The effect of the latest develop
ment in the situation is to delay any
forward movement few days longer.
Berlin Papers Curb Comment
Berlin. Aug. 24.-(Via London. -
No further details concerning the
sin king of the Arabic have been pub
lisned here and the Berlin papers re-
frain from commenting upon the sit
ua ton resulting from that event
The newspapers publish what pur-
ports to be a brief dispatch TO the .on-
don Telegraph, quoting Joseph z.
Tumulty, President Wilson's secretary.
as saying that Americans are unitedly
with the president and will, if neces-
sary. offer their lives to maintain the
rights of Americans on land and sea.
The Ereuz Zeitung says:
"These rights, as is known, consist
of using British passenger steamers"
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