The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-08-20

of them had friends and acauaintances
who had sailed on the Arabic. Their
denunciatIon of the destruction OF the
ship was unanimous, and very bitter
all of them agreeing that the act was
a deliberate Haunting OF President VIII
sons last note to Germany, and the
American contention of the right OF
neutrals to travel the high seas with
out danger.
The sinking of the Arabic made a
profound Impression on London. The
people generally showed more anger
even than they have over the recent
air raids. Excited crowds gathered
around the bulletin boards In the big
hotels and among them were many
Americans who did not attempt to con-
eeal their anxiety. Everywhsre IL was
apparent that the thought CT the lat
American note to Germany was in the
mind of everyone. and that there was
none but asked himself the question.
what viii American do?"
The early reports that all on board
had been saved were not believed. for
II was generally recalled that when
the Lusitania sank just such reports
were received at first. and that it
was only after many hours had passed
that the real horror of that disaster
became known. So that later. when
definite word came that all but Ave
or six of the passengers had been res
cues, the relief felt was very notice
able.
Men who are well versed in the dip
1omatic situation are convinced that the
sinking of the Arabic is the German
Teply to President wilson's last note.
There Is no apparent reason. they say.
for the sinking of liner carrying
women and children and going to a
neutral country without war material.
Certainly no military advantage was 10
be gained by the act All here agree
that the German government is deter
mined to disregard completely Presi-
dent Wilson's recommendations re-
RardinE the rights OF innocent nom
combatants, and many deduct from the
act the belief that Germany Is eager
TO drag the United States into the fight.
Total of 900 saved.
The fact that almost all of the pas
sengers and crew were saved is not
due to the Germans who sent the ship
to the bottom without the least warn
ing, and without giving time In which
TO permit the innocent passengers TO
seek safety. The action is generally
qualified here as wanton murder. and
In held to strengthen the belief that
the Germans have succeeded in main
tanning u pdSS oft AhE lfiSb
coast. This latter suggestion is ridicu-
lous in official circles. but the theory
has, nevertheless, found many believ-
ers especially in view of the fact that
the Lusitania was sunk near the same
spot
A late dispatch sent from Queens.
town by your correspondent there
says that 396 persons were saved In
all. OF this number thirty were in
tured, some seriously, and have beer
placed in a hospital at Queenstown
The correspondent says that forty
eight are missing and it Is supposed
that these were drowned
This would indicate that there were
444 persons on board instead of 423
as estimated by the White Star Com
pany.
4 A majority of the passengers were
Canadians. Michael F'ringle. of To-
ronto. Is said to have been separated
from his friend, Joseph Delorimer
| X. c., of Montreal, a son-in-law OF
ex- Minister Rrodeur. They both wore
| life belts. Fringle managed to gel
| into q lifeboat but Dolrimer fell into
| the sea and was struck by the life
boats counter and slightly stunned
He managed to clutch a raft. how
ever, End by that means to keeF
| afioat While in this straight he saw
a woman struggling in the water and
called to two members of the crew
| one Of whom is named Hughes. to &c
| to her aid.
The two sailors swan to her and
succeeded in helping her to the raf
and putting her aboard. She was tht
sister of the ships surgeon, and dis
not know at that time whether OIL
not her brother had been saved Al
Queenstown brother and sister me-
| and embraced.
| Another woman whose arm wal
| broken. was saved. but was frantic
| over the fate of her children, from
| whom she became separated. On
| landing, however. she found the tive
| children waiting for her. and for
getting her broken arm, rushed Il
1 caress them. As she sought to clasI
them the realization of the broker
arm returned to her, but apparently
| unmindful of the pain. she fondlet
| them as best she could, while thu
children clamored happily ant
| Rugged their mother with unmistaker
| Joy.
| The surviving passengers have beer
housed at hotels In Queenstown, ane
are receiving every care ana atten'
ton.