File No. 841.857/242
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain (Page)
4140. Report of the German Government on the sinking of the Arabia, which the Department has received, states that the submarine met the steamer 100 nautical miles west of the island of Cerigo and 120 nautical miles north of the route regularly used by passenger steamers between Port Said and Malta; that the route of the Arabia was a transport route used solely for war purposes; that the vessel was painted black with a black superstructure instead of the regular [Page 321] P. & O. Line superstructure of a light color; that there were large numbers of Chinese and colored persons in their national costumes on deck, believed to be “workmen soldiers, such as are used in great numbers behind the front by the enemies of Germany,” and that in these circumstances the commander was convinced that the ship was a transport for troops in the service of the British Government.
Please ascertain officially and definitely whether the Arabia was in any sense in the service of the British Government or their allies during the voyage on which she was sunk, and if so, how long she had been in such service; and if not, when she ceased to be in the British service.