Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1915-08-26
WILSON HOLDS MIND OPEN ON.
ARABIC DISASTER UNTIL ALL
FACTS POSSIBLY OBTAIN
ABLE ARE SECURED.
GERARD NOT INSTRUCTED
TO ASK GERMAN REPORT
n Facts Show That Arabic Tragedy
Was Deliberate Repetition Of Lusi-
tania Incident Diplomatic Rela-
tions viii Be Severed Very
Suddenly, Is Prediction.

tionS VIII Be Severed Very
Suddenly, Is Prediction.
Washington, Aug. 25.-President
Wilson will hold his mind open on the
Arabic disaster until all facts possibly
obtainable are secured from Great
Britain and from Germany. All pos
sible expedition will be employed,
however, in completing the evidence,
and, If the governments conclusion 10
that Germany has committed flag.
rant violation OF the rights OF the
United States, passports will be hand.
ed Ambassador Won Bernstorf within
"a hours after this conclusion ID
reached.
Wilson's Resolution 10 Stern.
The presidents unalterable deter
| mination is to wait only SO long as
there is room for reasonable doubt as
to the character of the German act,
and then if the facts are as they now
seem to be, to sever diplomatic rela-
tons with Germany with a suddenness
, that will leave no room for discussion
from any quarter.
The foregoing statements are made
upon authority absolutely unimpeach
able. As clearly as il the president
himself had spoken, they sweep away
/ every vestige of doubt as to the stern
resolution which was in Mr.. Wilson's
mind when he sent the note to Ger
paan inf aipsr hof that
the United States would neglect no
word or act" in holding her to strict
accountability for further wantonness
| In numbering American citizens,
Report from Page Received.
Ambassador Pages report was filed
! at London several days ago. The first
section OF it has been received at the
state department. All of 1t probably
| will be before the president shortly.
1t Is assumed that unless Germany
, wishes to make an outright issue with
the United States, some explanation
will be volunteered. Acting with that
thought, Ambassador Gerard at Berlin
| was instructed to report whether he
had received report from the Ger
man government on the sinking OF
| the Arabic. He was not, however, in
structed to ask for one.
1t may be possible within a short
time to send final instructions to Am
bassador Gerard as to the course he is
| to pursue in relation to the Berlin
foreign office. II, finally. the facts
/ n h~x hat fhn
deliberate repetition of the Lusitania
incident, Ambassador Won BernstorfY's
passports probably will be handed him
before the end Of the week
Tumuity issues Statement
To emphasize the determination OF
the President to secure all possible in
formation before closing his mind as
to the significance Of the Arabic in.
eident, Secretary Tumulty gave out
this statement:
The secretary to the President, af-
ter conference with the President,
made the following statement
| With reference to the sinking Of
the Arabic. as soon as all Of the facts
are ascertained. our course of action
will be determined"
The President believes that for the
United States to pass over an insult
such as the deliberate disregard of the
warning given to the last note to Ger
many, would make 1t impossible for
this nation to hold up it's head, f1gura-
lively speaking, in the family OF ma
tons.
| Time to Test country's Courage.
| The President believes that IL Ger.
many deliberately torpedoed the Ara
bic without warning, the time has ar.
rived when the courage of this coun-
try should be tested.
The President himself has no doubt
as to the manner In which the country
VIII lace this crisis. His estimate OF
the American character, IL II needed
confirmation, has been amply verified
by the messages and reports which
nave poured in upon him directly and
indirectly since the news of the Arabic
disaster was cabled to the United
states. The unanimous opinion is that
the Presidents extreme patience in
awaiting complete evidence lis admir-
able and that his resolve to meet the
emergency without compromise is the
only resolve consistent with the homo,
and dignity Of the Union.
Germany Must Act First.
As for the questions OF war and waI
preparedness, the President hal
threshed them out as definitely al
could be done In advance OF the actua
assembling OF Congress. n war liz de
clared. IT will be for Germany TO De
clare 1t. The United States, for thu
time being. will rest content with ths
brusque severance of all relations witt
the kaiser's government The admin
istration win seek to Queil those mem
hers of Congress who may demanx
that this country take the initiative u
! AAclarinx W