Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-09-15
AMERICA INSISTS.

Arabic and the loss of two American lives j.
1Hstified in view Of the facts so far as known
9ermany's only possible ground for refusing
dlsayowal must be that the German subma-
rine commander thought the Arabic was trying
to ram him, and on this point neither the Ger
mar admiralty or the foreign office at Berlin
has made a detailed or satisfactory explana-
ton -
AT this distance from Washington il is diff
emit to get the true perspective on the situa-
ton, even We're there. not such a lack of ma
Ierlal facts Ii Is coniectured from the German
admiralty's silence as to the fate of the sub
marine which torpedoed the Arabic that. the
Qnder-sea raider has been lost. Even this is
not known. Washington may be Informed ais
q the circumstances under which the Arabic
receiNed her death blow hut the public is not.
There Is however, no question that Germany
has given america to understand that the
safeiy OF American lives at sea is pledged.
That assurance was contained in the note
Nhich Ambassadors yon Bernstorff sent to Sec
retary Of State Lansing on September |. The
I1Il story concerning this note has not before
been published in Hawaii. The facts are that
o. September Secretary Lansing called on
ihe president to discuss the Il. SHERMAN sit
uation and upon his return to his office re
ceiyed the German ambassador. After a few
minutes Count Won Rernstorf came from the
conference beaming with an evident satisfar-.
ton. Ii was then given out that at the confer
epce the ambassador assured Mr. Lansing tlrat
bis government had ordered IFS su' marine
eommahders not to endanger the lives of
americans and that the United States might
rest confident there would be no more killing
81 its citizens.
Secretary Lansing asked the German ambas-.
ssldor to put his statement in writing, to which
Count Won Bernstorff readily agreed and sent
BIZ messenger the following note to Mr..
lansing:
nv Dear Mr. secretary: 500
With Teference to conversation of this morn
ing beg TO inform you that my instructions con
cerning to last Lusitania note con-
tain the following passage; ss3 $3.50
Liners will not be sunk by our submarines with
ont warning and without safety Of the lives OF nom
combatants provided that the liners do not try to
escape offer resistance NJ. a .bs
the Iustana question till the Arabic incident has
been definitely and satisfactorily settled Il desire e
inform you 6f the above because this policy Of
government was decided on before the Arabic Incl
IS dent occurred. s. s $50 fsta5sfss
have no objection to your making any use YOU
may please OF the above Information.
remain, my dear Mr.. Lansing, very sincerely
yours, 81 =
II Is upon the oral and written assurances of
the German ambassador, syoicing the views of
his government that the United States now
expects Germany to disavow the sinking of the
Arabic. If the German commander made a
iilistake thought the Arabic, in going to. the
rescue of d stricken vessel, was trying to ram
him. and for that reason discharged the tor
peslo. Germany s, disavowal may consistently
be made An explanation of the mistake will
moi restore the lives of the Americans who were
killed but it will show that the German com
niander struck only after he. believed the
steamer had taken tile offensive against him.
By disavowing intention TO sink The Arabic
without warning, Germany may then continue
her proposals for discussion Of indemnity.
Washington is moi. demanding that the Ger
mai, submarine campaign upon British mer-
chant vessels cease. Furthermore, the United
states rs opposing the British blockade as
firmly as it is. opposing. Submarine attacks
which violate American rights. A disavowal
bv Germany of the Arabic sinking will i'm
mensely aid the United States in its representa-
lions to Great Britain upon the blockade and
thps ameliorate condition which Germany
gives as justification for her submarine cam
paign.
a cI1TNESE STEAMSHIP COMPANY