Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-08-23
WILSON MAPS OUT s
COURSE OF ACTION ON /.
ARABIC SITUATION
Presidents Plans Completed
Soon After Lusitania Dis
aster = Government
Awaits Reports
MUST ESTABLISH FACTS
Program Provides for Severance %
Diplomatic Relations-Defense
Not Included
WASHINGTON. Aur. %

WASHINGTON, Aug. a
The United states Government SIN
waited today for an explanation OF an
OF the circumstances surrounding ire
sinking of the White star liner Arsb,s
on Queenstown by German submar,n.
with loss of two American lives m,
information so far available was d..
scribed by Secretary OF state I,ansing =.
involved" He stated that the eYsos
facts had not yet been established. bss
cause the Information so far furnishes
by Ambassador Page was frarmentsr,.
and nothing definite or certain has 20.
been established"
THE SITUATION.
From Administration sources ~ 49,
established that the situation as far a.
Germany and the Arabics sinking is co.'s
cerned Is as follows:
One. United States Government at IN.
time the Lusitana was sunk decided an
a course of action to be followed should
German submarines subsequently Greats
a similar situation. IL the final outcome
of the present investigation shows thar
the sinking of the Arabic was such a ode
liberately unfriendly act" then the Ad-
ministration will launch that program.
the first step of which is the breaking OF
of friendly diplomatic and commercial
relations
Two. Such drastic action will be taken
only when the evidence shall have estab-
lished beyond the slightest question that
Americas inalienable rights have been
violated through the sinking of tho /,
Arabic. .-.
Three. This evidence must be conclusive
from American and not from British
sources, and the report OF the German
submarine commander who sank the
White Star liner must "jibe" with the
evidence that is amassed by Ambassador b
Page at London. :
Four That until all of the evidence is at \
hand and has been "digested" the re-
sponsible officials of this Government will p
maintain an open mind policy" on the
entire event. s~ =
There was no attempt to disguise the q
fact that all of the information so far 4
received indicated that the sinking of the
Arabic was fragrant violation of the !
rights of noncombatants on board. And. (,
IL that is the final decision by this Gov D
ernmt ntehen Germany will be given 40
brief opportunity to disavow the act be- 0
fore any further steps are taken. q
BRITISH SIDE RECEIVED. -
The State Department has received the 6
statement of the British Admiralty cov-n
ering its knowledge OF the sinking These 2
statements were volunteered to AM
bassador Page, Secretary Lansing was q
careful to explain today, and will ben
considered only incidentally. The reason
that there has been delay, the Secretary -
said, in getting all of the informa ton
here, was that the passengers on the
Arabic left Queenstown almost immedj.
ately after being landed there, and the
Embassy's staff has been unable to To- \
cate them since. A package of affidavits
taken by Consul Frost at Queenstown Z
has been mailed to this country. and
the State Department today cabled Am.
bassador Page to rush summaries of. them X
by cable. =: IA