The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-08-20
SINKING OF ARABIC
D|STURDS PRESIDENT

Washington. ID. c., Aug. 1s.-Presi-
dent Wilson learned OF the Arabic dis
aster shortly after 3 o'clock. when a
messenger from the State Department
hurried to the White House with an
official dispatch from Vice-Consul
Thompson at Queenstown, saying that
the vessel sank at $3.50 o'clock this
morning.
The President was preparing to go
for an automobile ride. Attorney
General Gregory had just concluded
an hours conference with the Presi-
dent, and Mr.. Wilson was about TO
leave his study when the State De-
partment's message was laid before
him.
The Presidents face fell as he
scanned Nice-Consul Thompson's brief
report. Immediately he gave up the
idea of going automobiling. and DIS
cided to remain in his study to await
any further information that might
come to him from the State Depart
ment. or through press dispatches The
next two hours were given over by
the President entirely to an effort to
inform himself more fully as to the
disaster.
President Plainly Depressed,
The President conversed frequently
over the telephone with Secretary of
SKATE Lansing. His wait developed the
cheering news that most of the pas
engers were saved, but the PRESIDENT
plainly was depressed. After 5 o'clock
ne went automobiling, giving sonsider.
alton alone to the problem which faces
the Government. The President rode
for an hour Or more. His decision To
seek SOiif .tHa In thia cts =
the manner in which he had fsolat cd
himself when the news of the sinking
o. the LuEitania, months ago, first was
conveyed to him.
The President and his advisers will
not or course. undertake to go any
further than the sentiment of the
country will support them, and 1t Ia
acknowledged even by high admins
tration officials that Americans as a
whole do not seem DESTROYS at this
time of forcing the issue with Ger
many to the extent of an open break.
The general feeling in the national
capital tonight was that nothing short
OF the loss Of American life in connec-
ton with the sinking of the Arabic
would lead to any likelihood of dras-
tic action.
Appears Direct Affront.
At the same time there was plenty
of evidence that administration Of
ficials regard very gravely this new
in the German submarine
campaign. The record Of the last few
weeks, especially since the dispatch
of the last American note to Berlin.
had led President Wilson and his adj
visers to hope that the protect of the
United States finally had its desired
effect. and the German submarine
commanders would carry on their at
tacks in the future in accordance with
the international rules OF search and
seizure.
Now all this optimism on the part
of the Washington officials has
been severely shaken. and IL the early
accounts of the sinking of the Arabic
are confirmed This government Ii again
confronted with the cver-present
danger of a German submarine at
tack. which will compel 1t to take
steps at least toward the severance OF
diplomatic relations.
The sinking Of the Arabic, apparent
ly without warming, has again raised
the very serious question in wash
ington whether Germany really u de-
sirous OF avoiding trouble over H1e
submarine issaA With the Upites
States. :