The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-09-01
ARABIC CASE TENSION REMOVED
GERMANY ADOPTS PLAN TO PRE-
SERVE PEACE, RELIEVING
y CRISIS WITH UNITED
STATES.
Chancellor Says That Full Rcpara-
tion VIII bc Given IL Submarine
Commander Has Overstcpped His
Authority--Docs Not Understand
Act and Asks for Delay.

act ana Asks Tor Delay.
Berlin. Aug. &c (via London) The
Associated Press Is IN position to
state on the best authority that the
Arabic incident may. be considered as
eliminated as n source of discord be-
tween Germany and America; or at
least IL regarded by the German gov
ernment In that light.
Moreover. Germany. in its desire to
continue It's friendly relations with the
United States. had adopted before the
sinking OF the Arabic a policy de-
signed to settle completely the whole
submarine problem as affecting Amer
lea on the basis of good will and mu-
tuai understanding.
This Is shown clearly by the state
ment OF Chancellor Won Bethmann-
Holiweg last night to the Associated
Press. particularly by his concluding
remark TO the effect that not until
all the circumstances in connection
with the sinking OF the Arabic had
been cleared up would 1t be possible
TO say whether the commander of
one OF our submarines went beyond his
instruction" in which case Germany
would give complete satisfaction to
the United States.
Furthermore. during the conversa-
ton. the chancellor twice again re-
ferred TO the instructions given TO
the submarine commanders. He did
not specify I'm detail the nature of
these instructions. but II may be said
that they are designed to prevent a
repetition OF the Lusitania case and
TO provide the opportunity for escape
for American noncombatants upon
torpedoed ships. which the United
States desires.
Having given these instructions.
Germany asked suspension of judg-
ment on the Arabic case until the
facts were ascertained, being conf
dent II will be shown that the sinking
OF the vessel was not an unprovoked
attack without warning by n German
submarine but was attributable to a
mine explosion or TO some action OF
the vessel itself.
should II develop. however. that a
submarine acted contrary to instruc-
tions. ample reparation will be offer
ed.
Germany Is still unable to under
stand why Americans in these trou-
bied times travel on belligerent ships
instead OF taking American or other
Neutral steamers. but since they in
some instances insist upon taking pas
sage on vessels belonging to belig-
erents. Germany will do its utmost to
provide for their safety.
IL is not permissible TO quote re-
marks made by the chancellor in the
course OF the conversation, other than
the formal statement which he made
IL may be said. however. that DIR. Won
Bethmann-Hollweg showed genuine
interest In the state of feeling IN the
United States concerning the sinking
OF the Arabic and expressed the hope
that the American people would not
form an opinion on the basis of the
conflicting statements giving only one
side OF the story. lie spoke with en-
phasis OF Germnay's desire to main
tain the friendship of America.
The chancellor appeared to he i'm
good health and spirits and greatly
encouraged by the successes achieved
by the Germans I'm tho Eastern cam
paign. The interview was of short
duration as the chancellor was hurry
Ing away for n conference with En-
peror William at his field headquar-
ters.