New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-25
Arabic's Captain and Pas
sengers Testify for Amer
lean Government.
NO EFFORT MADE
TO RAM SUBMARINE
Cannot Raise Question of Num-
tions, Mounted Guns or Dis
guise, Assert Line Officials.
tBy Cable to The Tribune.l

London, Aug. 24.-Oficial confrma-
ton of the accounts of the sinking of
the Arabic were forthcoming to-day
when the American Embassy announced
the gist of affidavits made by six Anieri-
can passengers which were cabled to
Washington last night. All six agree
on two essential points, that NOBODY
aboard the Arabic saw the submarine
nor was warning ofany kind given, nor
was any attempt to ram the submarine
made.
Captain Finch, who took the unusual
course of making an affidavit before the
American Consul at Liverpool. added a
further point to the effect that even il
he had wished TO ram the submarine
there had been no time for him to at
tempt TO do so.
In the seven affidavits the Opponents
state that the Arabic was pursuing
peaceful course, and that she was not
warned. All Of them declare either
that they saw the torpedo or heard
shouts that torpedo was coming also
that the Arabic made no attempt 10 es-
cane nor 70 ram the submarine.
Captain Finch especially emphasized
the last point. saying that 1t would, IN
the first place, have been suicidal, and
in the second place, as he did not see
H. .,,broor;ne no could not have at
tempted to ram her
The depositions in full will be mailed
tomorrow.
White Star Statement.
The managers of the, White Star Line
at Liverpool to-day gave to the news
papers the following:
"At the time of the Lusitanla tor
nedoing many misleading and untrue
statements appeared regarding the yes
sci. Similar statements are beginning
TO be limited ar in connection with the
Arabic, which are equally untrue. For
this reason we thought you would like
TO have. one or two definite facts that
had better be published at once IN
order TO prevent people from hazard
ing opinions and finding excuses for
the torpedoing. These facts are
There is no doubt the Arabic was
struck with torpedo. Captain flnch
did not see the submarine, but I'M
doubtedly saw the torpedo.
There is no question of the Arabic
having tried to ram the submarine,
because il was not seen from the
bridge.
"There is no question Of the Arabic
having tried to escape, except the very
proper precaution of having put the
helm hard over when they saw the tor
pedo.
Sunk Without Warning.
"The Arabic was undoubtedly sunk
without warning. She was in peaceful
trading, with various nationalties
aboard. She was outward bound, so
there is no question of munitions, and
she was not disguised in any way nor
had she any guns mounted.
"The statement has appeared in the
press that she was off he south coast
of Ireland, which leads some people TO
think she was near the coast. AS a
matter of fact. she was over sixty miles
south of Ireland.
with respect to precautions taken,
these were very thorough and very
proper, having regard to all that has
takcn place in the danger zone. The
captain had life jackets on hand for
everybody. Rats were unlashed and
deck lifeboats opened up, and both RATS
and deck lfebOats played an impor-
tant part in lfesaving, as well as the
regular lifeboats."