The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-12-08
SUB SITUATION
AGAIN ASSUMES
SERIOUS ASPECT
.CERMAN ARABIA NOTE
IS NOT SATISFACTORY
Explanation ConsideredWeak
by Officials Now in the
Hands of Wilson.

WASHINGTON, D. c.. Dec. L
Germany'S acceptance Of reSponslbll1-
t. for the sinking without warning Of
the British liner Arabia. with the ex-
PLANTATION that her submarine COM
mander took the vessel for an auxili-
airy warship, has brought the issue
over submarine warfare to more Sc
rious and clear-cut basis than anything
that has happened since the threat OF
the United States last April TO break
diplomatic relations after the torpedo
ing of the channel liner Sussex.
Such information as the American
government now has tends to show the
Arabia to have been passenger ship OF
the Peninsular and Oriental line, pass
ing through the Mediterranean on a
regular voyage. Among the many pas
sengers was an American citizen, who
was rescued.
The German note. which was made
public today by the State Department,
SAYS IL official data is furnished show
ing that the vessel was an ordinary
passenger steamer. this then would
be a case OF regrettable mistake from
which the German government would
promptly draw the appropriate consc-
ouences." 1t is assumed here that the
consequences would be an expression
of regret and an offer Of reparation 1or
any injury or danger suffered by the
American on board.
The note has been referred to Pres
ident Wilson who is considering per-
sonally a review Of recent German
submarine activities to which the
Arabia case comes as climax There
probably will be no immediate action
as the state department hrst must
clear up beyond question the exact
status of the liner at the time or the
attack. Then it will be for the, presi-
dent to decide the course to De Iol-
| lowed.
Explanation Weak.
In official quarters the German eN,
PLANTATION is regarded as weak ana
unsatisfactory, no weight oelns az
tached to the statements that the
Arabia was painted like a transport
and was following a route usually
taken by transports and that the sub
marine commaI1ler saw many Chinese
but no women and children aboard
her. It is realized, however, that II
official data finally establishes the In
pocent character of the vessel, IN
view Of the Sussex note. virtually only
one course of action remains open TO
the United States and thai. would not
be taken until every possible conslo-
Grafton has been given Germany S
position. ,.o,s
While Secretary Lansing himself
refused all comment today beyond the
mere publication of the note, it is
known authoritatively that Germany
admission a in the Arabia case. her sim
liar admission In the Marina case.
when six Americans were drowned
and the early facts in the sinking OF
the American steamer Chemung have
com bined to create much anxiety. The
temporary Quietude in submarine op'
eratioRs~$which followed the pledSes
, in the Sussex case apparently has
been dispelled and officials are recall,
iing the belief then announced that
submarine warfare is utterly incom'
patible with the principles of human
ity, the long established and l9con.
troyertible rights Of neutrals and the
sacred immunities of non combat
! ants"