GERMAN NOTE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2565, 13 September 1915, Page 5

GERMAN NOTE

THE ARABIC INCIDENT ■ AN EYASIVE REPLY SINISTER SYMPTOM OF GERMAN . INSINCERITY. By Telegraph—Prcsa Association—Copyright Amsterdam, September 10. ■ German Note on the Arabic, after, explaining that the submarine's commanders/believed. the Arabic was trying to. ram his vessel, states that another British liner fired on the submarine ih the Irish Sea. on August 14. Germany is extremely sorry for tho loss of lives, especially Amerioan, but cannot recognise, any obligation to compensate, .even if • t!he submarine's comma udei'. had been mistaken ill believing the Arabic was aggressive, 1 and offers to submit the case to The-Hague Court, it aii agreoment is not reached, but The Hague decision, shall "not possess any significance regarding the general permissibility of German submarine warfare in international law* . . -

STATUS OF A SCRAP OF PAPER. (Rec. September 12,'3.15 p.ru.) v New York, September 11. .. The morning papers are unanimous in regarding Germany's excuse for torpeding the Arabic a.s ovor-flimsy for acceptance. The "New York .World" declares: "This is i another sinister symptom of German insincerity. Tlie Note retracts Count Bernatorff's pledge and gives it the status of Vscrap of paper.' Count Bernstorff's pledge is the diplomacy of a 'shyster lawyer.'" ■ • The "Tribune" says: "We must,put an end to the murder of our citizens on the high seas." The Philadelphia "Press" says: "Germany's suggestions that the.'Arabic incident should be submitted to arbitration'and .the acceptance of the commander.'s'excuse are insolences no selfrespecting . Government should endure." The newspapers approvo M. Dumba's dismissal, pointing out that it puts the lid on Tetitoriio propaganda. Count Bernstorff has issued a statement in which he says lie never gavo Mr. Archibald a. single .paper or anything else chiefly becauso ho did iiot think it was safe.

PRESIDENT'S PATIENCE EXHAUSTED ' (Rec. September i 2, 3.10 p.m.) Washington, September 11. Official circles consider tho Arabic reply, disappointing becauso Count Bernstorff promised full satisfaction if the Arabic had been torpedoed. America will probably agree to submit the FtouuS a£Ue

, Wilson las; devoted several hours consideration .to tlio German reply, and. an _ American rejoinder will be sent promptly.' , . .America pursues her own investigations into the sinking irrespectively of rile submarine commander's versioh. «r, Wspap ?f, s antici P ate that PreSfotahuT ""i!;® 1 )'send another Note, but the "New York World" declares that President Wilson's patience' has been exhausted and he has almost come to the conclusion that sterner action will be necessary.

SPECIAL CONGRESS PROBABLE. 11m <<r> 'i L °" do ? 1 > September 10. iho Daily Chronicle's" New York says it i s believed that ijiesideilt Wilson will convene a special Congress with a vioh- to taking drastic measures to compel German submarines to conform to tlio dictates of humanity. • t is realised that the submarines need only declare that tliey feared an ,u 1 / )r< I l?r murdering liOn-combatants, and Germany's refusal °, a J» "i.dcmmty is regarded as an added defiance, making the continuance of lriendly relations almost impossible.