Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-08-23
GOING SLOW IN
ARABIC PROBE
President Wilson and Aides
Not Demanding Ex-
planation.
TO AWAIT WORD
FROM GERMANY
Washington Claims to BE Without
Definite Facts Regarding All Essen
tiaI Question Which May Arise
From Sinking Of Liner With Amer
leans misunderstanding Affidavits
Of Survivors Big Task.

washington, Aug. 23.-Secretary
Lansing today cabled Ambassador
Gerard at Berlin asking If the Amer
fetal report on the sinking of the
White Star liner Arabic. The en-
bassy, however, was not instructed to
ask for one. 1t was stated that the
American government is not at all yet
sure Of the facts and considers it's in
formation very fragmentary.
Secretary Lansing said the situation
was exactly as 1t stood Saturday, that
no steps had been taken other than to
get accurate information as to what
had happened.
From the fact that Ambassador
Gerard was not directed to seek ali ex-
planation, the inference was drawn
that the state department has decided
to let the German government initiate
any explanation it may have to offer.
In the view of the state department
no points have been established be-
yond doubt regarding the important
question of convoy. the change Of
course of the Arabic just before the
torpedo struck, and other essentials.
The department accounts for the up-
parent delay in affidavits by the fact
that the Arabic survivors left Queens
town almost Immediately on landing.
The American embassy will be ex-
pected to find survivors and secure
their statements. which may be slow
work
Dunsley Not Armed Patrol.
The admiralty today authorized de-
%I,o% o&A an
Dunsley, torpedoed shortly before the
Arabic was sunk, was an armored pa
,trol. The admiralty states the Dunsley
was peaceful and unarmed trader.
Survivors of the Dunsley stated yes
fore the Arabic was sunk and that the
German submarine hid behind the
Dunsley to lie in wait for the Arabic.
Sunk Without Warning.
Supplementing official information
given out previously concerning the
sinking of the Arabic, the British adj
miralty today made the following state
ment:
The Arabic was an unarrned pas
senger ship outward bound to a neutral
port. 1t was thus impossible for her to
be carrying contraband to this coun-
try.
"She was sunk by German subma
rine without warning, and she neither
attempted to attack the submarine nor
to escape from it,"
Adopts Waiting p oicy.
Official announcement was made at
the White House today that "as soon
as all the facts regarding the Arabic
are ascertained, our course Of action
will be determined.'
First official announcement was
given out today by Secretary Tumulty
after conference with President VIII
son. Mr.. Tumulty said the statement
was I'll he was authorized to say.
The statement bore out previous un-
Official statement made at the Whit
House and state department that Pres
ident Wilson had not determined what
action the American government would
take and would suspend judgment
while awaiting receipt of all facts
available from all sources.
President Wilson has given up for
the resent his plans to return to his
summer home at Cornish, n. H., and
will ramain II, Washington. He had
hoped to so to Cornish late this week.
The president does not expect to
hold the usual cabinet meeting tomor-
rwo. A meeting will be held as soon as
conclusive evidence about the sinking
of the Arabic is received.