Licking Valley courier. [volume] (West Liberty, Ky.) 19??-current, 1915-08-26

Washington, Aug. 23.-There is no
longer any doubt in Washington that
the United States is facing a situation
which probably will result in the sew.
erance Of diplomatic, relations with
Germany.
With every indication that at least
two and possibly more American lives
were lost through the attack on the
Arabic yesterday, Washington officials
take pessimistic view of the situa.
tion.
If the unofficial accounts of the sink
ing of the Arabic are correct, there
appears to be only one possibility of
avoiding diplomatic break with Ger.
many. That possibility would consist
in disavowal by Germany of the act
OF the submarine commander and a
voluntary offer of reparation.
Nothing short Of that, according to
officials here, would meet the demands
Of the United States, in view of the
emphatic warning given the Berlin
government in the note OF July 21,
when it was advised that any further
attacks on unarmed merchant vessels
which resulted in injury to American
lives would be regarded as deliberately
unfriendly.
What Early Reports Have Shown.
Although the state department de-
clined to make known whether it has
received any official reports on the
sinking of the Arabic, it is generally
believed it has received dispatches in
dicating:
/. That the Arabic was attacked
's>RHthGut warning - a-----,'--'-,-' 4
2. That at the tine of the attack the
Arabic was not conveyed by any Brit
ish warships.
8. That after th6 attack no effort
was made by the submarine to assist
the passengers and crew who had es
capped in lifeboats or were flounderini
about in the water.
4. That only through the admirabl,
discipline of the crew was great loss
of life averted
With these facts substantiated, thu
situation Immediately will become por
tentous.
Convoy Might Change Affair.
The suggestion that the Arabic wa
conveyed by British warships ant
therefore was not immune from attacl
by German submarines under terms o
President Wilson's warning of July 2
has been set aside by the officials here
In some Of the newspaper account
It was said that the liner had been cor
voyed from Liverpool down the Mel
sey by British torpedo boats which 70
lowed into the Irish sea and 81
Georges channel. The convoy, accort
ing to these dispatches, had turne
back only short time before the Gel
man torpedo had been launched agains
the Arabic
The state department was intensel
interested in these reports at first, b,
cause 1t was acknowledged that II tn
wac lut plOltNNlOh I
British war vessels ii had surrendere
all right as an innocent merchantma
and was subject to attack. If the Bri
ish war vessels had turned back bl
were within sight and range of tn
Arabic at the time of the torpedo a
tack, there would be strong grbunt
for Germany raising the point that
was justified under the rules Of inte
national law. y
Tells Attitude of President.
While officials of the a ate depar
ment are Withholding form lal CONNER
on the sinking Of the Arab until 0
Of the facts are known apd Presidel
Wilson has determined upon his cour
of action, the attitude on the Unit,
States in the event that tho unoiiici
reports are officially condfmed WI
Atated clearly by high ofeial.
\ VI the Arabic was undeA convoy
time OF the attack the Germ'
y Ntne was justified in Ering
y IN dthout warning the vessel.
vs- bic was not under S6nvo
,erman commander was NOD Jus
under any condition in atta1kiI
bout signaling 1t to stop andpe
visit and search.