The Washington times., 1915-08-23
State Department
Keeps Open-Minded,
Waiting For Facts

Secretary Of State Lansing, In re-
sponse to questions concerning the
Arabic situation. today made 1t plain
the State Department was open-mind-
Cd, awaiting necessary facts that have
not yet been revealed.
Fiat denial was given by the secre-
tary to reports that this Government,
has determined the sinking Of the
Arabic was deliberately unfriendly'
Numerous reports were rife today
and ole Of the most striking wos a
rumor credited to Wall street that Ger
many had disavowed the sinking Of the
anything Of the sort had been received
at the State Department, saying moth
ing has yet come from Berlin on the
matter.
Gerard Questioned.
The State Department has sent a dis
patch to Ambassador Gerard asking
whether any report has yet been re-
ceived by the German naval authorities
from the submarine commander who
sunk the Arabic.
No explanation has been asked from
the German government. What this
Government seeks Is the facts as re-
ported by the commander Of the Ger
man submarine. Ambassador Gerard
Through Ambassador Page, the Brit
ish government has volunteered a
statement. Although this has not been
given out here. 1t Is supposed to be
miralty take: the position the Arabic
was not conveyed. was not warned. did
not seek to ram the submarine. and
was not taking a course that seemed to
threaten the submarine.
Action Shrewd.
In other words. tho British govern
ment has shrewdly hastened to seek to
remove any technical reasons for 1usti-
f1eation which the German government
may set up.
was the description Of the situation as
given at the State Department
Ambassador Page has taken the affi-
davits OF American survivors and for
warded them by mall
He also sent one or more cables which
are not yet given out. It Is believed
these dispatches contain the substance
Of the affidavits. It was admitted at
the department today that while the
affidavits had been sent by mail the
mail report.
Nothing Known Yet.
How far the Governments course 10
mapped out in the event the evidence
shows Germany took a course de
the note OF July q Is a mooted lues-
ton.
But It Is believed the President has
made up his mind what he will do II the
facts. when the evidence Is all in, show
that Germany Is taking a policy Of de-
nance Of our protests. Breaking of Of
relations unless Germany reveals some
justification or gives some assurances
1s Spected.
May Take Week.
1t Is not clear as yet when the evil
dence will be sufficiently rounded up so
that this Government can say definitely
what 1t Is going to do. Some think II
will be q week or more. since 1t may
take time to get the report Of the sub
marine commander from Berlin.
A question raised today was whether
1t was established that the two Ameri-
can dead. DR.. Woods and Mrs. Bru-
guiere, were American citizens. This is
not established at tho State Department,
hut the case does not turn on this. The
question OF how many American lost
their lives or were saved Is not the is
sue
Will Act With Force.
In case 10 is fully proven that the
Arabic was sunk under circumstances
that make 1t deliberately unfriendly"
then. according to officials close to tho
President. the Administration will act
Whether this means abrupt severins