Show mm m NOTE ON SINKING OF STEAMER ARABIC communicated TO AMERICAN ambassador commander of submarine believed arabic was about to attack his vessel and he therefore acted within his instructions berlin germanas germanys Germ anys note to the unit ed states concerning the sinking of the white star line steamer arabic by a german submarine was bated to james W gerard the amer lean ambassador wednesday evening the note ascribes the destruction of the liner to an act of self defense on the part of the submarine expresses the german government s deep regret that american lives were lost thereby and otters to refer questions of reparation and compensation to the hague for adjustment the note reveals in detail the in to submarine commanders concerning their treatment of liners they are ordered not to attack a pas steamer except in case of an attempt to escape after it is ordered to halt or unless its actions indicate an intention to attack the submarine 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 and therefore 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 liner down to smack Is a presumptive enemy and perhaps carrying guns and ready to seize any opportunity to attack the vulnerable submarine by gun fire or by ramming |