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Show GERARD RECEIVES f GERMANY'S REPB i i NOTE ON SINKING OF STEAME ARABIC COMMUNICATED TO AMERICAN AMBASSADOR. Commander of Submarine Believ Arabic Was About to Attack His Vessel and He Therefore Acted ; Within His Instructions. ; Berlin. Germany's note to the Un : ed States concerning the sinking the White Star line steamer Arabic i j a German submarine, was commu i cated to James W. Gerard, the Ami ican ambassador, Wednesday evenii The note ascribes the destruction j the liner to an act of self-defense i the part of the submarine, expres:- i the German government's dep reg- ' j that American lives were lost therr- : and offers to refer the questions i reparation and compensation to T I Hague for adjustment. The note reveals in detail the ; j structiens to submarine command-concerning command-concerning their treatment of line They are ordered not to attack a p senger steamer except in case of ; attempt to escape after it is order-to order-to halt or unless its actions indkd an intention to attack the submari; The submarine commander, acco J ing to iiis report concerning the st: ; ing of the Arabic to the bottom, .se he believed the Arabic was about ( attack the submarine and theren acted within his instructions. : German naval experts declare t there is no other course open to s marines under the present conditio when, they assert, every merclia "I man, irom liner . down to fisli v smack, is a presumptive enemy a i perhaps carrying guns and ready seize any opportunity to attack s vulnerable submarine by gun fire i by ramming. t s |