The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-08-21
Official Washington Hopes Act
Of Submarine Commander
Will Be Disavowed
ONE CHANCE TO AVOID
OPEN RUPTURE SLIM
Sinking of Arabic After Warn
ing by President Wilson In
dicates Germany VIII Con-
tinue Warfare in Own Way


Washington, Aug. 20.-With every
Indication that several American lives
have been sacrificed by the torpedoing
OF the White Star liner Arabic. with
out warning. American officials tonight
viewed very gravely the situation con-
fronting this government. IL unom-
cial accounts of the sinking or the
Arabic are accurate, there would
seem TO be only one possibility OF
avoiding diplomatic break with Ger
many That possibility would consist
In a disavowal by Germany Of the act
OF the submarine commander and a
voluntary offer of reparation.
The record of Germany in her sub
marine campaign gives little ground
for hope that she will pursue such a
course; indeed, the conviction has been
| forced upon official Washington that
Germany has decided to continue her
submarine operations in her own way.
regardless Of the Presidents solemn
warning that further violations OF
American rights would be regarded as
deliberately unfriendly acts.
One other suggestion has been add
vanced as asferding possible relief to
the present serious situation. but 1t
has been thrown out by Washington
officials In the way OF hope rather
than as any expectation.
Was Arabic Conveyed.
In some newspaper accounts Of the
| sorpedoing of the Arabic IL was SAID
she had been conveyed from Liverpool
down the Mersey by British torpedo
boats. which followed into the Irish
Sea and st. Georges channel. The
convoy. according to these dispatches,
had turned back only short time be-
fore the German torpedo had been
launched against the Arabic.
The State Depart was intensely Ia
tereesed in these reports because IL
was acknowledged that IL the Ara bic
was under the protection Of British
war vessels she had surrendered all
rights as an innocent merchantman n.
and was subject TO attack. IL the Brit
ixh war vessels had turned back. but
were within sight and range of the
Arabic at the time OF the torpedo at
tack. there would be strong grounds
Tor Germany raising the point That
Fhe was justified under the rules OF
international law.
Notwithstanding the efforts which
the State Department had made to
obtain all the facts in connection with
the sinking OF the liner, II was ac-
knowiedged tonight that no informa-
ton had been received tending to con-
firm reports that the Arabic had any
1
officials frankly acknowledged they
did not put much confidence In any
relief of this character. They thought
the fact that the survivors OF the Ara
bic had remained for four hours in
her small boats before they had been
picked up by the rescue vessels tended
10 discredit the idea that any convoy
was within sight.
Withhold Formal Opinion.
However Wa hin Oft on fafm xx.f.k
held any formal expression of opinion
on this point as on all others con-
nected with the case until the facts
have been received through official
sources.
Confidence in regard to the early
reports OF conveys was shaken still
further by the fact that later news
dispatches from London and Queens
town, published in today's afternoon
papers, failed to say anything Of such
war vessels, and especially by state
ment from White Star line officials in
this country denying that the Arabic
had been escorted by any British war
vessels.
Washington authorities have real
lied from the first that the aues.
tion of the loss OF American life in no
way affected the principles involved in
this latest outrage by the German gov
ernment. They have pointed out that
the jeopardizing of American life in
violation OF international law. and In
disregard OF President wilson's warn
Ing, was the real ofYense that must
Ne dealt with by this government. Yet,
realizing this. they had felt that the
pituation might be less serious IL no
American lives were lost as result
pf the attack. They had been very
dcubtful whether the American people
would sanction drastic action--the sew
erance OF diplomatic relations, for In
aGainst Germany unless Amer
scah itSes nad been sacrificed again.
MUST Act or He SILENT
The reports fror. Oueenstown ana
ldverpooi as to missing Americans seem
to leave little room for douht mn .,his
score. and President Wilson. II a fear
ed. Is now confronted with the neces.
sity OF determining what the action 81
this government shall be- IL e tsks,,
for granted on all sides in washir~'
| ton that II the unofiiciai reports ~ II.
ARABIC incident turn out to 81 trne th,s
government cannot with dignity nrn-
test again TO Germany. President WV
sons deliberately unfriendiy,' note ~
his last warning word. and ~ viewed
IN washington, the President now, IL
mo extenuatfnE circumstances arise
must either act or remain silent. a
FORWARD In support OF his warning, 81
Essbackward and away from It.
s. The only possible action that 10 boz
ling seriously talked OF here IL the
breaking on Of diplomatic relations.
The President and his advisers never
seeded definitely what steps this gov-
eminent would take In the event Of
Germany ignoring the Presidents anal
warning. Many, including some OF the
! Presidents own advisers, have felt that
this Was a mistake. but conditions
within the Presidents ofsicial family.