Evening journal., 1915-08-23
ASK GERMANY FOR
OFFICIAL REPORT ON
SINKING OF ARABIC
Official Dispatches
Relating to Loss of
Steamship ''Frdg-
ine1tGry Thus Far,
Secretary Lansing
States
PRESIDENT MAY
STRAIN A POINT
BY The United Press.

BY The United Press.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 2s-That Am
bassador Gerard. Berlin. has been in
structed TO ask the German Gov
ernment il the Admiralty had yet
received report from the com
mander Of the submarine supposed to
have sunk the Arabic was stated by
Secretary Lansing at II a. m. today.
Official dispatches relating to the
case were very "fragmentary," thus
far. the secretary stated
He also formally denied a stock
market report that the German Gov
ernment had disavowed the destruc-
tion Of the liner.
The question was raised in official
circles today concerning the nation
ality of Mrs. Josephine Bruguiere and
DR.. Woods, Arabic passengers, miss
ing and supposedly dead. The State
Department admitted it had not learn
ed definitely that they were Ameri-
cans, but had accepted Ambassador
Pages word that they were.
Guesses on the administration
Arabic case policy had simmered
down to Just two TODAY The Presi-
dent is prepared 10 strain a point"
TO escape the risk Of involving the
/ United States in the war. The Presi-
dent is prepared TO sever diplomatic
relations with Germany, call Con-
gress together and take steps looking
toward possible hostilities unless the
Kaiser comes to time" Immediately
There was no way Of determining
which Of these surmises was the cor
rect one-or more nearly correct The
truth was known only to the Presi-
dent and his closest advisors-per-
haps only 10 the President and not
even to his advisors.
The theorists did not divide entire
ly according To their personal sym
pathics.
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 situation
had arisen yet as 10 avoid even the
risk Of war and who we're for avoid
ing such a risk at any-reasonable-
cost feared the administration meant
4 TO adopt an attitude which would
gravely endanger the nations peace.
iHlH was not ~ odf ihht " dciiu--
ton Of1cialdom would not unitedly
support the President OF 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
divldual ideas Of what was best and
were anxious lest the opposite direc-
tion be taken.
Quite distinct from either the ele-
ment which argued for drastic steps
toward Germany or from the pro
nounced peace party. was a third
group which thought Americans rela-
tions toward the Allies, Great Britain
in particular the first consideration
and favored subordinating the Ger
man-American to the Anglo-American
situation.
This group was not for war with
the Allies. but il did support an en-
barge on all American shipments Ia
the Allies. as a measure OF reprisal
for the latters interference with
American commerce at sea. The cot
ton interests we're most prominently
identified with this party. with the
meat packers as their strong back
ers, the consumers of dyestuffs a
close second and many miscellaneous
lines of business, formidable in the
aggregate also enlisted
In a general way these interests
were allied with the peace group
Continued on Page 2