Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-12-07
Germany Sends Note in Eff
fort to Justify Sinking
of Ship.
READY TO MAKE
AMENDS IF IN ERROR
Berlin Government Sends Official Note
to Washington in Answer to Demands
For Explanation Of Destruction Of
British Ship in Mediterranean--Con
tsntion Leaves Washington Officials
With Duty Of Proving Otherwise.

Washington, Dec. Germany in a
note made public by the state depart
ment today contends that the British
steamer Arabia, sunk in the Mediter-
ranean on Nov. 6, was in reality "a
transport ship for troops in the SER
vice of the British government, which
Is to be considered an auxiliary war
ship and can therefore be treated like
a warship."
r The German governments attitude.
however, like that in the Marina case.
is expressed to be one of readiness to
make amends If 1t be shown that the
submarine commander violated Ger
many's pledges to the United States
Text OF Note.
The note, addressed to Charge Grew,
in reply to his inquiry made on instruc-
tions from Washington, follows:
Foreign office, Berlin, Dec. 1, 1915
The undersigned has the honor to in
form Mr.. Grew, charge d. affaires Of
the United States Of America, in reply
to the note of the 21st ult that the
evidence of the German government
concerning the sinking Of the steamer
Arabia has led to the following re-
SUITS
"On the morning of Nov. 6 the sub
marine encountered a large steamer
coming from Corregio straits. >The
steamer was painted black and had a
black superstructure and not, as is
otherwise the case with p. & o. line
superstructures, light color.
'The steamer was not on the route
regularly used by passenger steamers
between Port Said and Malta, which Is
made plain on the enclosed map, but
was taking a zlz-zag course to the
northwest. This course, on which the
subnariae passed three similar steam
ers at the same spot on the same morn
ing, leads from the Aegean 9to Malta,
so that the Arabia was moving on the
transport route. Corregio- Malta. used
solely for war purposes. according to
experience, until now.
The commander OF the submarine
further ascertained that there were
Chinese In national costumes on the
steamer. He considered them to be
Workmen soldiers In spite Of the clear
weather and careful observation he did
not perceive any women and children.
IN these circumstances the, COM
mander Of the submarine was con-
vinced he was concerned with a trans
port-ship for troops in the service OF
the British government, which Is to be
considered as an auxiliary warship. ac-
cording to international law. He ac-
cordingly considered himself justified
IN attacking the steamer without de-
lay. and sank it.
Should the American government
give the official data showing the
Arabia at the time OF the sinking to
nave been an ordinary passenger
steamer. the action of the submarine
commander would not have been in ac-
cordance with instructions given him.
This would then be case of regret
table mistake from which the German
government would promptly draw the
appropriate consequences.'
slt Washington Has Problem,
What action the state department
will take Is problematical. Secretary
Lansing refused to comment on the
case today.
Should 1t be shown that the Arabia
was transport this government prob
s-oAS WooAA ddA1t Tie StIlklnR was 1uS-
titled. 1t, however it is shown the
submarine commander was mistaken in
holding her to BE transport most
serious situation will face the state
department.
Fail to See Justifieati
It may be said that the United States
does not regard the circumstances as
recited in the note az. justifying the
sinking OF the Arabia. The presence OF
Chinese OH board is considered of little
Importance but will be investigated
It may be stated authoritatively that
no immediate action will be taken as
another step is regarded as too serious
to be taken without complete facts. It
hinges entirely upon whether the
pledges in the Sussex case were brok-
en-. The note published today is not re-
garded in official quarters as making
out atstrong case for Germany The
note signed by Minister Of Foreign Al
fairs Zimmerman Is the first received
by the United States since he assumed
the post. succeeding Gottleib Won
Jagow.