Evening star., 1915-09-14
Sinking of the Arabic Not a
Question for Arbitration,
It Is Stated.
AMBASSADOR SUPPLIED
WITH EVIDENCE IN CASE
Proof Submitted Showing Vessel
Was Torpedoed Without Warning.
Other Issues in Allegiance.

has let it be known that It Is not
willing to discuss with Germany
the question of arbitration III con-
nection with the sinking OF the
Arabic, and an official in position
to know today said that the
question OF arbitration is not an
issue"
1t is believed that what the
government is contendlng Tor Is
a complete disavowal OF German
submarine commander action i'll
the sinking OF the Arabic, and the
negotiations now in progress may
not come to their tinality for a
week or ten days.
After the conference between the
Secretary of State and the German am
bassador yesterday the latter was fur
niShed with the evidence OF ofncefs
and others on the Arabic. 1t is under
stood that this is being cabled TO ber-
lin so that the German government can
get the complete American viewpoint
on the case These aftidavits are to the
effect that the ship was proceeding
peacefully and was torpedoed without
warning. In the latest German note to
this government it was claimed the
submarine commander believed the
liner was about to ram his craft.
Mass of Evidence Submitted.
1t was learned that the amba ssador
had the opportunity at the State De-
Dartment of examining carefully a
mass of evidence gathered by the
United States giving in technical detail
the position of the Arabic. the British
steamer Dunsley and the German sub
marine up to and including the time
the torpedoes were fired which de-
stroyed both vessels
The proof is chiefly that the German
submarine was at right angles to the
Arabic when firing the torpedo. and
that the liner could not see the sub
marine, because up to the moment OF
firing it was concealed behind the
Dunsley.
These facts have now been trans
mitted through diplomatic channels to
the German foreign office, and officials
are waiting to learn what effect
study of >this evidence will have in
Berlin.
The German government never has
had the benefit of the same knowledge
of the case as the State Department of
this government, and it is hoped, of
course, by United States officials that
the new light will enable Germany to
disavow the action of the submarine
which caused the trouble. What this
government wants first of all is a dis
avowal, and then it may be willing to
discuss arbitration as to the question
of indemnity.
Dumba and Won Papen Cases.
Meantime the Dumba and Won Papen
cases are pending without action. ac-
cording to information from the State
Department. Secretary Lansing will
pay no attention to the printed reports
that the Austro- Hungarian ambassa-
dor asked to be recalled on leave"
until the matter is before him. 1t is
proba BILE, however, that if the matter
is presented in that form this govern
ment would not agree to it. If DR..
Dumba is "on leave" he would be ac-
,redited to this government, and no
successor could be appointed. There is
nothing new at the State Department
in the Orduna case.
This leaves the department free to
concentrate on the Arabic case, and
Count Won Bernstorff. the German am
bassador, Will be given plenty of time
government
While government officials maintained
silence today over possible effects of the
informal discussions initiated by the Ger
man ambassador with Secretary Lansing,
II was declared in well informed circles
that the situation was far from hopeless
despite the disappointing features of the
German note. 1t was suggested that
when the Berlin foreign Office had had
opportunity to examine the Arabic evil
dence. which had not been previously
available. it might alter its position
and consent to disavowal.
No Arbitration of Principle.
II was indicated today that if the way
We're opened 10 further negotiations on
The Arabic or tie entire submarine stu
alton the United State would not consent
to any arbitration of principle or
question In which safety of Americans
was involved. 1nasmuch, however, as
ieru1anys assurances that peaceful
liners would uot be torpedoed without
warning had been accepted. it was sug-
eested that II Berlin sought to arbitrate
the amount of indemnity or the question
of whether the submarine commanders
fears were justified in the Arabic case,