The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-21


Washington Post: If American citizens
went down with the Arabic, Germany will
| have brought about a most grave sit
uation, in the face of a most solemn warn
ing.
Washington Herald: The gravity of the
situation that has been forced upon it
cannot be magnified. We are surely near
the breaking point with Germany.
Cleveland Plain Dealer: American senti-
ment is unanimously against a nation
which stands sponsor for the policy of
stealthy murder.
Cleveland Leader If 1t is true -
that no warning was given, a grave crisis
has come in the relations of the United
States with Germany.
Chicago Abend Post: Individuals and
declare the sinking of the Arabic to be
deliberately unfriendly act in the sense
of the Presidents recent note to Ger
many and ask expectantly: Well what
now? show by this only that every wish
and will have If possible a break be-
tween the United States, and Germany.
By this they show they are un-American
and unpa triotic. Americas interest do
mands peace. No sane man can believe
that a war with Germany would benefit
this country.
Portland Oregonian: The attack on the
Arabic is a challenge, definite and de-
fient, to President Wilson to follow his
words with deeds.
Pueblo (Col) Chieftain: 1t would be
unreasonable to expect the German naval
commanders to give free passage to a
ship westbound when the same ship was
orxrivx roa oaf nv an ha
eastbound trip.
Lincoln (Neb) Journal: To torpedo the
Arabic without warning would be an
act of hostility toward the United States.
New York Evening Post: It Is useless
to heap words to show how critical is the
situation. = The whole tale Is not
yet told, but enough Is known to prove
that the commander of the submarine
acted in defiance of the distinct warning
given by President Wilson. mo one
imagines President Wilson will think for
moment of retreating from the posi-
tons taken by him.
Brooklyn Eagle: Assuming that all the
circumstances are as reported, the first
step he (the Presidency must take, step
that can no longer be avoided without
national abasement and humiliation, 10
to send Count Won Bernstorff out of
the country and simultaneously recall
Mr.. Gerard from Berlin. After that Con-
gress could well be assembled to pro-
vide for whatever may be forced upon
us.
Chicago Evening Post: If the Arabic
carrying American citizens among it's pas
sengers, was sunk without warning by a
German submarine there is but one thing
that can justify the United States in con-
STRUNG the incident as other than de
liberately unfriendly." That is a prompt
reputation with ample apology and as
surance of further avoidance, from the
imperial German government.
Chicago Daily News. The case of the
United States government is the case OF
civilization. The issues involved have
been clearly outlined.
Minneapolis Journal: BY sinking the
Arabic without warning Germany has
given the United States final notice of
her determination to persist In the role
of an outlaw nation. She has united
the civilized nations against her
The Yorker Evening Stats Zeitung:
TO deny that the already delicate situa-
ton has been strained by the sinking
of the Arabic to the point of an open
breach. would mean to play the role
of the ostrich. = The friendly rela-
tons, which are so close to our hearts,
are seriously threatened. The
situation Is serious because the policy of
our government Endorsed. appauded,
pushed and stimulated by a pro-British
press, which despite all protestations of
peace wantonly melted to war. carried in
itself the germ of an unavoidable con-
flict, because. as the case of the Arabic
again shows, the German government, If
1t would not commit suicide, never more
will or can agree to the terms of our
government.
New York Evening Herald: With the
German war authorities war measure Is
found necessary because of circums tances.
but defiance of the United States was
not intended. OF that we are certain.
Will the efforts now succeed to
make America an open ally of England?
is the question asked in the British cab
met. We believe not. The American peo-
pie by this latest incident will not be pre-
vailed upon to deviate from their declared
neutrality which it is true has not always
been entirely without doubt
Philadelphia Inquirer: If there have
been no murders of Americans on the
Arabic a crisis has been postponed, but
only postponed, we fear, since the sinking
would seem to indicate that other passen-
ger vessels will be treated likewise if
caught, and in that event the loss of
American lives can scarcely be avoided.
Philadelphia Record: 1t suffices to say
that the position of the government OF the
United States, as outlined In three en-
phatic notes, is unalterable, and the coun-
try will back up the President whole
heartedly in maintaining American rights
on the seas from whatever quarter vio-
lated, without compromise at any cost.
Pittsburg Leader: What other fate for
Arabic could be expected? Without pro-
lection she was sent on her errand for
more munitions She fiagrantly steamed
into the danger zone as though counting
attack.
Buffalo News: The loss of the Arabic
is definite answer to President Wilson's
note. There is no doubt that the av-
erage American no matter how earnestly
he hopes and prays for peace. has reached
the limit of his patience, and will ap-
plaud the hand that brings the ship sharp
ly to the wind.
Buffalo Commercial: The destruction of
the Arabic, In violation of the laws of
justice and humanity, and in the face
of cur polite hut firm warnings. was not
only deliberately unfriendly," but DELHI
erately insulting.
st. Paul Daily Volks Zeitung: The sink
ing CT the Arabic, vessel controlled by
the English admiralty and in continuous
Use as transport of ammunition. has le-
rlously delayed an enormous cargo of war
ma terial destined for the slouphter 81