New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-01-28
PRAISE REPUBLICS MEN
ALSO THOSE OF BALTIC.
International Mercantile MG1nt
Compliments Them Highly.

Praise Of .he highest sort was accorded yesteT-
Ssr tn the officers and men Of the Baltic ana the
.Repcbhc the meeting of the board or directors
f ths international Mercantile Marine, after hear
sne the reuorts Of Captain Ransom OF the Baltic
Ano CAPTAIN Seslby of the Republic Resolutions
dop1sd by the directors said that officers and crew
nj both vessels acted with consunamate skill and
atohless bravery Copies Of these resolutions were
sr6ere6 Forwarded both officers and crews of the
1ro steamships.
The report Of Captain Thomas Fenlon of the
standard OIL faleback City OF Everett that he could
1~e tov7ed the Republic safely into port or where
,sbe could have been beached. but that Captain
sseSzyv 6ecatned his aid was received by the White
Star Line yesterday morning P a s Franklin,
yscsprex5dent of the line, said he would not make
xnv staternent concerning Captain Fenlon's report
until the collision up in the admiralty court
The reuoTt was first received by o. L. Hallenback,
manager of the marine department Of the Standard
on Company. said that Captain Fenlon got into
isounrnunication with the Republic about a. m
Saturday morning and reached her about an hour
isnd g half later He said he offered to take on
the passengers and their baggage from the Re
public BAT that Captain Sealby declined his offer
Man familiar with maritime custom pointed out
xat Captain Sealby. when the City of Everett hove
IN sight already knew that his owners had sent
assistance 10 him The duty of captain. after
ere safety Of his passengers is assured Is 10 pro
tect his owners from loss Knowing that help was
on the way and with his vessel apparently in good
towing condition, they say that the master was
sa;stihed IN declining the offer Of a tow, which
would have meant great amount Of salvage for
his owners
The ships captain will ever be sole and abso-
lutte in authority in the navigation OF his vessel.
said Mr. Franklin yesterday. 1t does not matter
whether he he in communication with the home Of
fee Or not by wireless We could direct the mas
Ter to change his port Of destination or order some
change about the preparations 10 land baggage but
-xne il cones 20 questions navigation those
entirely IN the hands Of the master of the vessel
We might suggest some move in case of accident
but the master of vessel has fuI right 10 adopt
or reject the suggestion as he sees lit He is re-
sponsible for his vessel when at sea, whether or
not he communication with his home Office
Captain Fenlon quoted in Philadelphia as
saying that il would have been easy enough to
have saved the baggage of the Republics passen-
gers on the barge which he had in tow. Accord
ing 10 his mate. whom he put aboard the Repub-
lie Captain Fenlon declares that Captain Sealby
said the Florida probably more in need OF as
sistance than he was He said according 10 Cap
tain Fenlon that government and other boats We're
coming TO his assistance, and they would be all
that was needed Had he accepted the offer of g
tow and transferred any baggage TO the oil steamer
or her tow his owners would have been liable for
q large for salvage.
las regards salvage Mr Rallenback said yes
serday after getting Captain Feaon's report the
Standard Oil Company most certainly would not
have put in a claim for a cent even though en-
sstled 70 it OF course under the law, the crew Of
the City Of Everett would have been entitled to
something. but the company would not have asked
q from the White Star Line.
We have had q letter about the offer Of the
City OF Everett, but have considered it
yet" said Nr Franklin later lit will be taken
ND after have had an investigation. The Off
GERS and crews will make their statements TO our
attorneys, and the will go into the admiralty
isour1 We VIII sue the Italian Lane. they will
:sue US. Then the court will decide which was TO
Blame"
He denied the statement Of the representatives
rof the Lloyd iteAano that the Republic run
ming az high speed John Lee. another vice-pres-
;.ssut did the same. adding: White Star vessels
ado not plough ahead in thick fog. The hole in
this side Of the Republic Is the best evidence of
The speed OF the Florida"
Taking Id the disposition of the crew. Mr.. Lee
,Eaae: the crew will be sent 10 their respective
shomes on Saturday. The Italians will be sent
from Boston on the Romantic for Mediterranean
srorts and the rest OF the crew win be sent over
Ton the Baltic They all shipped from Liverpool
tunder tbs rules Of the British Board Of Trade
whose explicit that their stops as soon
sss they quit work, no matter what the reason
They VIII not suffer because CT the accident, for
we VII take care OF them, depend that"
The board OF directors Of the International Mer-
camille Marine met Tuesday They adopted
resolutions saying that they deemed ii eminently
ct TO pIsce record expression Of their 'ad-
vibration for the valiant service rendered and
oaunted spirit shown by the officers and crews Of
the Republic and Baltic in the face of extreme
peril
.-sch strict adherence to discipline" the resolu
sonaI safety when the lives OF passengers in
,eopardy can but inspire those who go down to
the sea in ships with deeper respect for the sea-
farins man and a new confidence il the value of
that sense Of personal responsibility which the
trained seaman never fails to evince."
Among the former passengers of the Republic
who called at the Offices of the line yesterday
the Rev DR.. Oscar Wittstock. - Budapest and
Gus:axe eraser Of Si5ennergen- Both
faissioned several months ago by the Hungarian
synod 10 visit this country and investigate the CON
ssstions surrounding newly landed Hungarian inn
srsgrants Dr Wittstock had written a good part
81 his report. which he had board the Repub-
sc and he this along with his notes and must
Tow prepare his report from memory. He also
Jest about 500 in cash. Mr. eraser carrying his
money in his pockets. saved all his. Both will sail
Saturday for their home.
SO far few Of the passengers OF the Republic
have decided what TO do Seventy-five per cent of
the passengers women and most of them
have busy buying clothes since they landed
20 90 anything else. So far twenty passengers
have applied for their passage money and got II
back: five are sail for the Mediterranean on the
Romantic and three will take up Their inter
rupted cruise n the Baltic Saturday from this
pert
Robinson Benedict & Bids Of No 20 Wall
street counsel for the White Star Line word
yestercry all the passengers OF the Republic to
forward 70 thea possible inventories Of