Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1915-08-24

The impression was that he had
acted on the strength of an intirna-
tion to him from Berlin that report
would be Forthcoming and that 1t
would be of nature satisfactory to
the United States.
Otherwise. it was pointed out. there
could have been no reason for the
request.
The development was an immense
relief. since 1t had been feared from
the Berlin governments silence thus
far that the intention was to say
nothing and leave the Washington
administration to infer anything 1t
pleased.
The request was interpreted as adj
mitting that Germany would eithsf
deny an attack by one of its U boats
on the Arabic and offer evidences IN
support of this claim and that il
would furnish an explanation for the
incident of a nature at least to open
the way for discussion and a settle
ment.
Secretary of State Lansing was at
lunch when the word that Count
Bernstorff's request had arrived first
bhihNh SQAl CiiGJ anu ICtuIHcu Will
a promptness which indicated his ap-
probation of the information's inns
portance.
In view of the ambassadors request
the state department can do nothing
but wait reasonable time for word
from Berlin. Ambassador Gerard has
been instructed to watch for a re-
port, but has not heen told to ask for
one. The German ambassadors re-
quest today indicates that one soon
may be volunteered.
Meanwhile, the state department il
gathering evidence from all other
sources to supplement what 1t already
has, but considers too fragmentary
to be of full value. When some word
is received from Germany the gov
ernment's action will be decided. The
effect of the latest development in tha
situation Is to delay any forward
move for a few days longer.
The state department today re-
ceived a telegram from Ambassador
Page summarizing the evidence he
has obtained In the Arabic case.
In view of its "fragmentary char
acter" the dispatch was withheld.
The department admitted that Pags
had been asked to submit further de-
tails as soon as possible
There are certain facts we want
cleared up" said high official
The statement that certain facts''
are not clear was believed to indicate
that Ambassador Page had been un.
able thus far to obtain definite svi-
dence on points in controversy.
Movement of the Vessel.
Among the questions on which the
administration seeks information are
the movements of the Arabic, either
toward or away from the submarine
at the time of the attack; the extent
to which the vessel was conveyed
and the important question as %
whether the Arabic was submarined
or struck a mine.
That the president has decided what
course to pursue. if convinced Ger
many meant to be deliberately un-
friendly to the United States, un-
doubtedly is true. This suppositio1,
based on the announcement by Presi-
Dental Private Secretary Tumulty,
"as soon as the facts regarding the
Arabic are ascertained our course of
action will be determined" was made
rather more of than the facts JUS
tify, 1t was said on reliable official
authority today.
Despite Attorney General Gregory's
declarat ton that the government does
that is to say, does not make up its
mind in advance what to do in the
face of such incidents as that OF the
Arabic's estruction-persons close to
the White House said it was natural
that the president has had all along a
clear idea as to what he would do
IL the Germans disregarded his last
note concerning submarine warfare.
Severance Upon ReprisaI.
There could be no question, they
explained, that he proposed to sever
German American diplomatic rela-
tions if Germany refused. in the coii-
duct of its undersea campaign, 70 4
take such precautions as his comml-
nication specified relative 10 AEneri-
cans safety on the ocean.
This, it was said, was taken tor
granted from the first. The idea was
taetly indorsed by the White House
That 1t should be spoken of now as
a discovery was source of surprise q
in official circles.
The point was made, however, that i
the administration would be very glad q
of a satisfactory explanation from
CONTINUED on Page (, Column ~