Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1915-09-09
ARABIC WAS
DESTROYED | |: | IN
II SELF Defense
Germany Explains Sinking Of
Liner on This Grounds
in Note
SUBMARINE CAPTAIN
SAYS ACT WAS JUSTIFIED
Steamer Was Headed Toward Un-
der Sea Craft When
Torpedoed

.. Iva HCS&OVu
Berlin, Sept s.-Germany's note o
the United States concerning the,
sinking of the White Star Line steam
er, Arabic, by a German submarine
was communicated to James w. Ger
ard, the American ambassador, yes;
terday evening.
The note ascribes the destruction of
the liner to an act of self defense on
the part OF the submarine, expresses
the German governments deep regret
that American lives were lost thereby,
and offers to refer the question Of re-
paration and compensation to the
Hague for adjustment.
Modified Orders.
The note reveals in de tail the in
structions to submarine commanders
concerning their treatment of liners.
They are ordered not to attack pas
senger steamer except in case of an
attempt TO escape after il is ordered
to halt, or unless it's actions indicate
an intention to attack the submarine.
Acted Within Instructions.
The submarine commander, accord
ing to his report, concerning the send
ing of the Arabic to the bottom said
! he believed the Arabic was about to
attack the submarine, therefore he
acted within his instructions.
German naval experts declare that
there is no other course open to sub
marines under the present conditions,
when, they assert, every merchant
man from liners down to fishing
smacks is, a possible enemy perhaps
carrying guns and ready to seize any
opportunity to attack the submarine
by gunfire or by ramning.
There is still no report available
with regard to the sinking of the AT
len line steamer, Hysperian.
Commanders Report.
The commander of a German sub
marine which has returned to its
base has reported to the admiralty
that he torpedoed thelliner, Arabic, in
the belief that the Arabics action in
dicated she was about to attack the
submarine and that he fired in self
defense. Asl &''i hED1Ra'u@'
According to the submarine COM
mander's report, the submarine was
engaged in destroying a freighte:
when the Arabic was sighted. The
submarine then was on the surface.
Headed for Submarine.
The Arabic, the commander declar-
ed, swung around and headed toward
the freighter as if to attack the sub
marine. The commander of the under
sea craft remained in doubt as to the
intention of the Arabic, when the lat
ter changed her course, few points,
but still kept headed in direction
that was bringing her nearer to the
scene.
The captain of the submarine re-
ports that he continued to observe the
actions of the .lincr, until he saw the
Arabic again, change her course and
head directly for the spot where tie
submarine lay, as if the, Arabic had
sighted the undersea boat. Then the
commander of the submarine, believ
ing his craft was in danger, he declar-
ed, submerged her and J fired tor
pedo. '''
Await Details.
washington, Sept. S.-While await
ing communication in regard tc the
sinking of the White Star liner, Ara
bic. officials did not comment on the
press reports but are giving their at
tention to the case of the Allen Line
liner, Hysperian. Although all re-
ports from London declare that the
.Hysperian was torpedoed, the belief
that she struck mine still is prevail
ent in naval circles here, and at the
state department no conclusion has
been reached.
No confirmation has been received
so far of reports that an American
named Wolff, member of the crew,
was lost with the Hysperian.
STRUCK A NINE?
New York, Sept. S.-Count Won