The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-21
American Papers View Sinking of
Arabic AS An AHront to the u. S.

of breach of International law. sever
ance of diplomatic relations must follow.
St Louis Post-Dlspatch: Repetition
of similar Meaningless attacks on mer-
chant ships cannot fail to bring the
| fatal consequences
| Cincinnati Volksblatt: All indica-
| tons point to satisfactory expIana-
| ton of the sinking of the Arabic The
| TACT. however. remains that amicable
relations between the United States
and Germany hang by a thread which
| might be snapped at any moment by
some untoward incident. This uncom-
| Portable state of affairs could be cas-
| lily removed by applying common sense
which would, and ought to, induce the
President to tell American citizens to
save their country from embarrass-
| nent by travelling under the American
Gag.
Louisville Herald: The sinking of the
Arabic, accompanied or not by the loss
CT American lives, appears to have
been a deliberate affront 1t precipi-
tates a crisis 1t brings the issue in
its cleanest form up to the President.
And it is an issue in which the ma.
tional dignity, sovereignty and honor
| are Enthusiastically involved as when the
Maine was lost
Louisville Courier Journal 1t is the
last straw that breaks the camers
back. The people en- masse de-
mand the suspension of all relations
with Germany and we believe the Pres
ident will promptly answer the sum
mons.
Louisville Anzeiger: So far we know
nothing except what the British CEN
sor has passed. :. Fortunately. the
President and his advisers are cool and
determined to wait until they are ad-
vised officially.
Asheville Citizen: If it should prove
that American citizens have been wan
tonly slain on the high seas as in the
case of the Lusitania, 1t is difficult to
see how the government at Washing
ton can content itself with merely
viewing the repetition of such acts of
piracy as "unfriendly."
Richmond Times Dispatch The de-
struction of the Arabic is complete
answer to the last note dispatched by
Washington to Berlin. Germany has
flouted Americas solemn warning and
again, in violation of humanity and
law, wantonly destroyed life. She must
take the consequences.
Roanoke Times: If American lives
were lost in the disaster that occurred
off the Irish coast Thursday morning
it Is difficult to see how our govern
ment can with honor avoid rupture
with Germany
Lynchburg News: Upon the evidence
OF those aboard the Arabic 1t seems
that Germany has deliberately, wick
I'M
decline to sustain further diplomatic
relations with Berlin and hence pre-
cipitate situation surcharged with
extreme gravity.
Greensboro News: We are reminded
that 1t is the people of the United
States who are taking fearful risk;
standing constantly in the presence of
a great danger. Our notes to Germany
must be taken very seriously; the final
word on the principle has been
spoken. That being true. 1t will take
more than mere streak of luck to
keep us out of the war.
Charlotte Observer: The torpedoing
of the Arabic if without warning, was
in absolute disregard of the American
position so sternly and unequivocally
stated in President Wilson's latest note
10 Germany. II an American life was
lost the torpedoing was "a deliberate
ly unfriendly act
Cincinnati Freie Presse (German):
The Arabic has carried an immense
amount of war material and 1t can
not be estimated how many German
soldiers have bled as the result Of
wounds received from American bull
lets which this ship brought to Eng
land and her allies. Therefore, we may
be satisfied that the trips of this Brit
ish ammunition-laden ship had ceased
III our administration cannot be per-
suaded to the unlimited export of arms
and ammunition danger then Germany
must protect herself
Baltimore News: If the Arabics case
develops at its worst there Is nothing
for us to recall as an unpleasant in
cident but returning our envoy send
ing Germany's answer back to her in
the same way.
Chicago Journal: The sinking of the
Arabic is exactly the same sort of
piracy as the sinking of the Lustania
with the added aggravation of being
needless. Frankly the Journal
can see no use In arguing about neu-
trail rights and human duties with the
IIohenzollern court.
Kansas City MOI Star: The sinking
of the Arabic looks like the deliber-
ately unfrlendly act against which
President Wilson gave his timely and
friendly warning. Facing such a crisis
the American people will follow
L. the limit (the President's) firm in
sistence on American rights and honor
Richmond News-Leader: The most
oNinous feature disclosed of the sink
the American people. We were already
prepared for the worst when the news
came. If there Is no rupture over the
Arabic, there will be new provoca-
ton.
Knoxville (Tenn.) Sentinel: Without
regard to whether American lives are
lost or not Germany, in the absence Of
dsavowal. has committed 1.-The DELHI
erately unfriendly" act and Is appar
emily determined for reasons best
known to herself to put quarrel
upon the United States. The country
will trust the President to deal with
the proof. ... ..s..t ~
Mobile Item: II reports are correct
that the Arabic was torpedoed without
warning. causing American citizens to
lose their lives, 1t cannot be construed
otherwise than as the deliberately un-
Wilson warned the imperial govern
ment. Confirmation of that report can
hardly result otherwise than In the
withdrawal of Ambassador Gerard, let
the consequences be what they may
The United States cannot back down