Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-08-21
GO SLOW, WARNS
GERMAN EDITOR
In Arabic Case He Asserts That Eng
land Has Suppressed Import
ant Facts.


ant Facts.
The following editorial appears to-
day in the Illinois staats-zeitung un-
der the caption. The Sinking of the
Arabic.
The British steamer Arabic WIS
torpedoed according 10 news received
yesterday. 1t is claimed a German sub
marine has annihIlated the steamer. 1t
is also claimed that Americans were
lost with the steamer.
The Associated Press reports that
the British censor would not permit
the transmission of any news regard
ing the sinking of the Arabic. This
fact ought to caution decent people
and especially conscientious Journal
lists not 10 be too hasty in their iudg-
meut about the fatal incident. Tt Is
self-understood that England would
readily grant the greatest publicity TO
any news fiji for the condemnation of
German warfare. II now the British
censor suppresses news referring to
/ the case of the Arabic it suggests that
the suppressed news would exonerate
Germany.
But the government and the press
should by all means withhold their
last word until that suppressed news
is received. The government is we'll
aware Of this duty and abstains from
commenting on the question. which Gas
conditions prevail now in the United
States may easily lead to serious com
plications with Germany. The Anglo
American press. however, does not aC-
knowledge such duties. That press
grasps at the fimsiest chance to shout
against Germany. Cruelty it, This
fact By itself shows the endeavor to-
disturb the clear mind of the American
public TO excite the people against
Germany, with whom We entertain
friendly relations, nominally at least
We do not desire any advantages
for Germany. Even Germany has no
such desires. All that we ask tor our
old fatherland that we could not and
would not tear from our hearts is just
consideration for the cause of Ger
many And this we ask chiefly in the
interest of our new fatherland of this
republic
Should Germany deliberately attack
American lives. or even violate any
American right. we viii be the first to
condemn such deeds and to demand
Internationally fu0 reparation. But,
To save our life we cannot see clearly
how American products sold to Eng
land to be used against Germany may
demand immunity And we are unable
to comprehend how American passen-
gers may demand safety from Germany
since they choose to travel on British
muuitton boats.
Even as a passenger ship the Brit
ish boat must be considered hostile
territory as much as Germany is con-
cerned. But the Arabic carried war
supplies since the outbreak of the war.
The crew formed a rife club and prac-
ticed daily with long range rifles of
heavy caiber. This proves that the
crew OF the Arabic was prepared to
resist any submarine # Americans
knew this and used the boat just the
same. they are to bear the conse-
quences of their reckless actions. If
they did not know it. England is ro-
sponsibIe fer the loss of American
lives
The protection Of American lives is
one of the highest duties Of the Amer
lean government And in discharge
ment OF that duty the government has
the support OF every citizen, whatever
his sympathtes may he BUT ont of this
duty the government can hardly deduct
the duty of Germany to consider the
presence of Americans on belliger-
ent boat as protection for that boat
We have no authentic news on the
Arabic incident as Yet Tt is csbled
from London that our republic has now
TO be prepared to go to war against
Germany, but the very same London
suppresses the truth about the Incl
dent. This opens the door to the hope
that the sinking of the Arabic occurred
in accordance with the rules Of war
fare and TO the further hope that the
horrible European war has no more
American victims