GERMANY'S EXCUSE FOR ARABIA INCIDENT.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 883, 8 December 1916, Page 7

GERMANY'S EXCUSE FOR ARABIA INCIDENT.

VESSEL MISTAKEN FOR A TRANSPORT. COMMANDER SEES MANY COLOURED WORKMEN. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received December 8, .11.20 a.m.) NEW YORK, December 7. Germany's reply to the American Note regarding the sinkink of the Arabia has been issued. It gives extraordinary reasons for the incident. The commander mistook the vessel for a transport, because she was not painted a light colour, like other P. & O. steamers, and was not travelling on a regular route. Several similar steamers had been passed by the submarine on the same unusual course. Many Chinese and other coloured persons were visible aboard the Arabia, corresponding to "workmen and soldiers." The captain of the submarine did not see any women and children, and therefore concluded that the Arabia was a transport, and attacked her without delay.