Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1915-08-23
LANSING SENDS
INQUIRY ABOUT
ARABIC REPORT
Instructs Gerard to Ask If Ger
man Admiralty Has Official
Word on Sinking.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 2s.-Secre-
tary Lansing today cabled Ambassa-
dor Gerard at Berlin asking IL the
German government had received an
official report on the sinking of the
White Star liner Arabic. The am
bassador, however, was not instruct
ed to ask for one. 1t was officially
stated that the American government
Is not yet at all sure of the facts and
considers its information very frag-
mentary.
Secretary Lansing said the situation
was exactly as it stood Saturday;
that no steps had been taken other
than to get accurate information as
to what had taken place.
From the fact that Ambassador
explanation. the inference was drawn
that the state department has de-
cided to let the German government
initiate any explanation 1t may have
to offer.
In the view of the state department
no points have been established be-
yond doubt regarding the important
questions of convoy, the change of
courses of the Arabic just before the
torpedo struck and other essentials.
All the information received, aside
from the newspaper reports which re-
fleet censorship, is embodied in one
brief affidavit by an American, Zellah
Covington. The department regards
1t as essential that this shall be corro-
borated and supplemented.
The deDartment accounts for the
apparent delay in securing affidavits
by the fact that the Arabic survivors
left Queenstown almost Immediately
upon landing.
The American embassy will be ex-
pected to find survivors and secure
their statements, which may be slow
work
That several important dispatches
had been received from Ambassador
Page concerning the Arabic incident,
was announced at the state depart
ment today. They were not for i'm
mediate publication, 1t was stated.
Guesses on the administration s
Arabic policy had simmered down TO
just two today
]. The President is prepared to
strain q point" to escape the risk
of involving the United States in the
world war
2. 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 or determining
which of these Surmises was the cor
rect one-or the more nearly correct.
The truth was known only to the
president and his closest advisors
perhaps only to the president and
not to his advisors,
The theorists did not divide entire
ly according to their personal sym
pathies.
Stern Policy improbable.
Many who favored a stern policy
did not believe the President intend
ed to adopt such a policy. Others,
who did not think any such situa-
tion has arisen yet as to avoid even
the risk of war, and who were for
avoiding such a risk at any--reason-
able-cost, feared the administration
meant to adopt an attitude which
would gravely endanger the nations
peace.
This was not to say that Washing
ton officieldom would not unitedly
support the president or did not think
the country would support him in
whatever course he might decide to
follow. The different groups, how
ever, had. in advance, their own in
dividual ideas of what was best and
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