Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-08-23
j. s. AND GERMANY
NOW ARE BELIEVED
. TO Be NEAR BREAK


ttontlnued from First Page.)
yet to be made known, but If these
claims present alleged Justification. the
afiidavits of Americans who were ON
board and of Englishmen who witnessed
1t all, will stand in rebuttal. The indi-
cations already are that citizens of the
United States on the Arabic declare
that the submarine commander had no
possible justification, and their word
Will probab bly, be taken against that of
an officer of the submarine. Then
against this possible conflict will be
the official utterance of the German
government on the subject President
Wilson will give weight to this utter
ance if it appears to regret the occur
renee or to indicate that the command
er acted without orders or the desire of
the German government.
Grave doubt was felt today that Ger
many will adopt such course. The
expectation is that acting upon the re
port of the submarine commander, Ger
many will present reasons why the act
was legal one. in her view.
Speculation has become widespread
as to President Wilson's course in the
event that his final conclusion is that
the Arabic affair was deliberately un-
friendly to the United States. Men
who have spent years in close touch
with the President and who know
something of the workings of his mind
are practically unanimous in the view
that Mr.. Wilson. having given pass
ports to ambassador Won Bernstorf and
having recalled Ambassador Gerard from
Berlin. would do nothing further of
drastic nature.
Extra Session Held Doubtful.
Doubt is expressed that he would
call Congress in extra session That
would mean. it was pointed out, that
he felt that the United States was in
peril from Germany in the near flu
ture and must instantly begin prepa-
ratons for defense and possible Of
Tense. 1t would be, it is further de-
clared. unlike the Presidents meth
DDS. He abhors the thought of war
with Germany or any ether nation. He
will go no further than he regards as
necessary to uphold the honor and self
respect of the nation. Having shown
Germany that the administration
means what it says, and is not to be
deferred from firmneSs by serious in
ternal conditions, he would stop and
let Germany make the next move. Ger
many'S course would not be long in
developing. 1t would appear the
surface in a short time Her response
to the severance of diplomatic rela-
lions could be hostile or Indifferent,
bellicose or regretful, and, in the in
terval, the United States would mark
time.
just a little more than three months
away. That the whole strength of the
administration will be thrown into a
program of legislation putting the
paredness was known before the
Arabic horror. To call Congress in eX-
ira session, it is pointed out. would
portend the Presidents fear that hos
tilities with Germany would be event
uai. and that the United States would
start the game by getting ready at the
first possible moment. Excitement
would rise throughout the nation; the
war fever would grow, and step by step
the journey would begin toward the
same sort of horrors now drenching the
soil of Europe in human blood.
Optimistic Side of Picture.
The calling of Congress in extra
ordinary session will be the second
procedure OF the President should the
breaking of diplomatic relations be
the first, 1t was asserted today. That
second step would be dependent upon
Germany. If her submarines no longer
destroyed American lives and inter-
fered with American liberties and rights
on the high seas no second step would
he called for. Sooner or later diplo-
matte relations might be restored with
out prospects of actual hostilitfes or
attemps at hostilities.
That is the optimistic side of the pic
ture. The peSsimiStic side is that Ger
many would answer the rupture Of re-
1ations by attacking American and all
other vessels. disregardful of American
life and right, and that the President
would be compelled to call Congress
together to make appropriations that
would enable the United States to do
what it could in retaliation and in de-
Tense of American shipping.
President Wilson is - known to be
holding up well under the strain. His
health continues good, and he is striv-
ing to keep his mind free and open, the
book to be closed when all facts have
been laid before him and digested. He
is golfng and riding and to his intimate
friends shows cheerfulnesS of mind
that pleases them.
Friends of Peace Send Wire,
There has been received at the White
House a long telegram signed by John
Brisben Walker. chairman of a COM
mittee from The Friends of Peace"
urging President Wilson to commit to
Congress. if necessary, the question of
war. and declaring that the most dan
of declaring war" The telegram
throughout hints at the mistakes kings
have made in taking acts that started
wars. and respectfully asks the atten-
tion of the President to the manda-
tory provisions of the Constitution of
the United States which give to Con-
gress the power to declare war.
. The telegram hints that great in
terests' are willing to slay millions of
men to add to their already swollen
fortunes The President is asked To