The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-08-23
Two Courses Seen
Before President
BY CHARLES p. STEWART.

tStdH SpOHdeHt United Press
WASHINGTON, Aug. 23.-The
Arabic case viii not be decided on
"fragmentafy evidence" Il was
stated on high state department au-
thority today.
This was taken 10 mean that the
administration might need two or
three weeks 10 make up It's mind
The British version was expected
with reasonable promptness Some
Of the ofhcial evidence had already
been cabled by Ambassador Page. A
cabled summary Of the rest was ex-
Eected within As hours The am
tbassador's fun report, with surviy-
oFs afidavits, was coming by mail
Owing 70 the cancellation OF earlier
Liverpool sailings, a fortnights de-
lay or more, in its receipt was
deemed likely However, it was
thought cabled advices would be
sufficient to form basis for con
Guiding what the British showing
would be-
Unofficial information from Berlin,
en- the other hand, was to the effect
that the German admiralty might be
unable 10 get its u boat command
o-'s report in less than IA days.
Though the Washington govern
ment had not received a German
apology for the sinking Of the
Arabic, or d!savowal of it. as re-
ported in Wall-st rumors the
story's denial was followed by the
admission that some such statement
might have been made. in Berlin, TO
Ambassador Gerard. This. It was
said, explained the message t6 the
ambassador asking him to ascer-
tain whether or not the admiralty
had heard anything from its sub
marine commander. No reply 20
this query had been received.
7 he delay in securing Arabic sur
vivors' statements was attributed TO
the fact that many left Queenstown
shortly after landing and Vice-Con-
sui Thompson was having trouble
finding them.
Just why the state department
seemed doubtful concerning the ma
tinnality OF Mrs Josephine Bruguiere
and Or Woods, the two supposed
Americans who lost their lives,
hen the Arabic was sunk, was not
clear
II was merely intimated that
there seemed to be some uncertain
~ end that If they were not Amer
lean citizens, the situation might be
decidedly modified IS a practical
proposition. though in principles the
case would remain the same. mas
much as there were Americans on
the ship
Guesses on the administration s
Arabic policy had simmered down
10 just two today
THE president is prepared TO
strain point'>to escape the risk
OF involving the United States in
the world war.
The president Is prepared to
sever diplomatic relations with Ger
many, call congress together and
take steps looking toward possible
hostilities unless the kaiser comes
TO time" Immediately.
There was no way OF determining
which OF these surmises was the
correct one-or the more nearly
correct. The truth was known only
TO the president and his closest ad-
visers-porhaps only TO the presi-
dent and not even to his advisers.
The theorists did not divide en-
tirely according TO their personal
sympathies Many who favored a
stern policy did not believe the
president intends 10 adopt such a
course. Others, who did not think
any such situation had arisen yet
as TO avoid even the risk OF war
and who were for avoiding such a
risk at any--reasonable--cost feared
the administration meant 10 adopt
an attitude which would gravely ens
danger the nations peace
This was not 10 say that Wash.
ington offcialdom would not united
ly support the president, or did not
think the country would support
him in whatever course he might
decide 10 follow. The different
groups, however. had, in advance,
their own individual ideas OF what
was best and we're anxious lest the
opposite direction be taken
Quite diatinct from either tho
element which argued for drastic
steps toward Germany or from the
pronounced peace party, was a
third group which thought Amer
teas relations toward the Allies
Great Britain In particular the first
consideration. and favored subordl-
mating tho Germsn.American 90 the
Anglo-American situation
q -. IN ,.-r90