New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-08
Admits Sinking Ship
Unwarned, but Holds
1t Was Transport
fFrom the Tribune Blreau.l

Washington, Dec. 7.-Germany' e%'
planation Of the sinking of the +. ano
O. liner Arabia, torpedoed November I
with one American on board, was re-
ceiyed at the State Department to-day
and practically convinced officials that
Germany's pledges of seven months
ago have gone by the board.
Secretary Lansing made the COM
munication public and then announced
that official comment would be with
hold From authoritative sources it
was learned that the situation mas
taken a grave turn by reason oil tn's
note. but that the Administration mas
not determined its action.
Germany admits sinking the Arabia
without warning, alleging as an excuse
that she was out of the normal trade
routes and in the lanes used by trans
norts. that she was painted black
instead of gray. like the other r. ana
O. boats, and that view OF persons
on board in Oriental costumes con
,;rced the commander of the SUD
marine that she was transporting
"workmen soldiers"
No women or children we're oD
served. the note says, adding that II
the United States should prove tna'
the vessel was not transport the act
would be disayowed. Berlin assures
the United States that the pledge
given in the Sussex case still stands
that peaceful merchant ships will not
he sunk without warning and without
Giving those aboard a chance OF sate
removal.
"Discretion" Rule Indicated
But in informed quarters the note IS
regarded as confession that herman
commanders are not instructed to COM
nl,, with the rule Of visit and search,
as the United States mas demanded
but that they are permitted to take
chances when they believe they are
dealing with a combatant ship.
The fact that no Americans were
killed. however, is being taken INTO
consideration. II is improbable. from
indications given to-day, that the
Arabia case in itself will form the
basis for break in relations with
Germany, even though on the face oil
to-dav's confession the pledges of last
Nav have been violated wantoniy.
But the information concerning Her-
ranv's method of warfare that is re-
vealed IN the note undoubtedly VIII
nreiudice the State Department IN deal
inc with the Marina case. IN wnlch SIX
Americans were killed. Germany's ex-
cuse in that case was similar the
commander thought he was dealing
with a transport. Coupled with the
Arabia confession, however, II VIII De
difficult, officials believe, for the State
Department 70 agree that the Marina
attack was q bona tde mistake.
Wilson to Give Germany Chance
As pointed out in The Tribune
nreviously. President Wilson will not
break with Germany on mere tech
nicality. He is determined TO give Ger.
many every chance 70 prove her good
faith. and. although he served notice in
the Sussex case that no more mis-
takes" could be tolerated, he viii not
carry out his threat as long a there
rs a chance that the mistake is ar
honest one.
The German memorandum on the
Arabia. therefore, is Of great impor-
tance as a confession that the old rule
OF firing first and investigating after
ward is still in force.
According TO the State Departments
information, from American sources,