The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-08-28
WANTS JUDGMENT WITHHELD,
GERMANY ASKS THAT ACTION
BE NOT TAKEN UNTIE HER
SIDE OF CASE rs STATED.
Ambassador Says That Germany Had
No Intention of Harming Amcri-
cans Oh Arabic and Expresses Re-
gret at Their Death.

Washington, Aug. 24.-Count Won
|Bernstorff, the German ambassador
communicated to the state department
today a message from his government
expressing sympathy if American
lives were lost on the Arabic, and
asked that the United States delay
taking q definite attitude until Ger
many could be heard from.
This was the first word from an
official German source concerning the
Arabic, on which two Americans per-
fished.
No attempt was made either at the
state department or at. the White
House to interpret the ambassadors
communications. Officials merely said
that the American government, of
lcourse, would await the German ex-
planatiOn Of the action of the sub
marine commander in sinking the
liner.
Count Won Bernstorff telegra phed
the state department from New York
the text of his instructions from Ber-
| lin:
$50 far no official information avail
able concerning the sinking Of the
Arabic. The German government
trusts that the American government
will not take a definite stand at
hearing only the reports of one side
which, in the opinion of the imperial
government, can not correspond with
the facts. but that a chance will be
| given to Germany 20 be heard equally.
Although the imperial government
fdoes not doubt the good faith Of the
witnesses whose statements are re-
ported by the newspapers in Europe.
lit should be borne in mind that these
statements are naturally made under
excitement which might easily pro-
iduce wrong Impressions. If Ameri-
cans should have actually lost their
lives this would naturally be contrary
Ito our intentions. The German gov
lernment would deeply regret the fact
and begs to tender sincerest SYM
lpathies to the American government" ."
Secretary Lansing indicated he did
not intend to reply to the ambassa-
doris message now. He agreed to its
publication with a statement that he
had no comment to make.
Particular attention was attracted
here by the assertion in the German
communication that, in the opinion
of the imperial government. the ac-
Icounts Of the sinking Of the Arabic
which have come from England could
not correspond with the facts. These
accounts in affidavits by the captain of
the ship and American survivors have
agreed that the Arabic, an uparmed
passenger ship bound for the United
States with no contraband in her hold
cargo. was torpedoed without warning
by submarine.
1t may be. week or more before
IGermany is heard from further. The
report Of he submarine commander
must be awaited in Berlin and it is
known that sometimes ten days or
more elapse before the underwater
boats return to their base.
In the mean time the state depart
ment will continue compiling evidence
a r6 6nd hxy hoe. \
consular officers.
In connection with the German am
bassador's communication today 1t
was recalled here that three days af-
ter the sinking of the Lusitania the
Ambassador presented q note express
ing the sympathy and regret Of his
government for the loss Of American
lives. There was no attempt, how
ever, to deny that the Lusitania had
been sunk without warning. and blam
for the disaster was placed upon the
British government, which permitted
a vessel carrying contraband to sail
with passengers. including neutrals.
| II WAS reported tonight that Count
Won Bernstorff expected to come to
washington shortly to discuss the stu
alton personally with Mr.. Lansing.
Mr.. Lansing said that no engagement
had been made, though he would be
glad to see the ambassador.
| President Wilson and Secretary
Lansing were in communication sew
eral times during the day. They con-
ferred briefly after the department
had sent the German ambassadors
message to the White House. The
usual cabinet meeting was not held
today and it is probable that the
situation VIII not be placed before
the cabinet until the German explana-