Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-08-21
AMERICA AWAITS
COMPLETE REPORTS
ON ARABIC CRISIS
u. S. Will Not Act Until Exact
Nature and Circumstances
of Sinking Are
Ascertained
WASHINGTON CONFIDENT
Situation Considered Grave, but Hope
Is Felt for AmicabIe Adjust
ment of Case
WASHINGTON. Aug. q.

WAShlNGTON, Aug. 2l
No official reports had been received
at noon today concerning the Arabic case
Stories by the torpedoed liners sur.
vivors. especially Americans were ex-
pected momentarily from Ambassador
Page in London. Press messages said
they had been dispatched; they had not
reached Washington.
The conviction grew that the Admins
| tration could not make up its mind on
the strength of the London version Ber-
| lin would have to be heard from, too,
II was stated Not a word had come from
Ambassador Gerard. II he did not re-
port speedily, II was expected he would
! be asked to seek a statement, through
the Kaiser's Admiralty, from the COM
mander OF the submarine which sank the
| Arabic
officials regarded the situation serious
! ly. but confidently. Most of them and
these. the most. important, said they be-
lieved a way would be found Of avoiding
break with Germany. IL they had any
! substantial reason for thinking this, they
would not reveal II. IL was the general
sentiment, however.
Explanations we're looked for from Bcr-
lin. The Administration attitude is not
irreconcilable II was said on high an
the face from Germany to the United
States, 1t was stated, but II has no in
tention of disregarding the Naiser's For
eign Ohlce, IL the latter has anything TO
say.
The suggestion most commonly adj
vanced was that Germany would de-
clare:
The Arabic was torpedoed when still
within its armed convoys protection
zone.
That the White Star liner tried to ram
the submarine.
That the merchantmen either tried to
escape, In disregard of warning to
heave to for a search. or at least exc
cuted some maneuver which fairly en-
utied the German commander to be-
heVe an escape was being ATTEMPTED
Reports were current that an exulana-
tlon OF the kind had already been fore
shadowed In messages via Sayville. They
could not be confirmed. So far aa an
peared on the surface. such hopes as were
expressed Of an amicable settlement of
the Arabic matter were based on mere
.heorlzlng: Nevertheless, hopes were en-
tertained by men in positions which en-
Titled their views TO consideration.
PRESIDENT Wilson remained at his desk
IN ms study In the White House proper
throughout the day, foregoing the usuaI
saturday morning golf game and auto
ride 1t was understood that he was ex-
amining precedents that might bear ON
the present situation while waiting for
the Official reports to be received here
both ne and Secretary Lansing have
decreed that there is to be no discussion
OF the Arabic sinking, and the crisis
precipitated by it, until they have ali the
facts at hand. '''o
The connection between the DunsIev
and the Arabic may be of supreme i'm
portance, officials said In this connac
tion one Of the chief legal experts OF
the Navy Department, who specialized in
international law as applied to marine
matters, said: ''0
The Arabic had a perfect right In
proceed to the relief of the passengers
and crew OF the Dunsley IL the Isttar
mad appealed for help. No attack couid
De made on the Arabic without resort to
the doctrine of 'stoppage. visitation and
search for such action. But II the Dnns-
icy resisted attack before being torpedoed
the commander Of the submarine might
very well have taken the view thai The
arabic was en- route. to aid in the re-
sistance and thus have been tus,ifsd a,
torpedoing her. This is one OF the no.
sibilities that must be considered in The
case. :" '"'