The Washington herald., 1909-01-28

New York. Jan s7.-In anticipation OF
inevitable litigation in the United States
Admiralty Court growing out Of the col
Ision between the White Star liner Re
public. and the Florida, Of the Loyds
Italian Line and the subsequent sinking
and total loss Of the Republic, ofhcers
Of the International Mercantile Marine
Company. assisted by their counsel, began
to-day the inquiry into the facts Of the
crash in the fog which the Italian line
had started on Tuesday.
Unofcially. P \. s. Franklin. vice
president and general manager Of the
Mercantile Marine. refuted the state
ments given out 10y The agents for TIE
italian line Monday. concerning the speed
the Republic vas making at the time OF
the ramming. and he inti.nated that the
whole problem OF the responsibility for
the accident would have 10 come out in
court
Since It is very likely that the Italian
line VIII libel Us for the damages 10 the
Florida. and the White star Line VIII
institute a suit 20 libel the Lloyds TO re-
cover for the seemingly total loss Of the
Republic said SIR. Franks.n to-day, we
cann0t reasonably be expected 20 give
out a formal statement Of the Republics
story at the present tine. Cur attorneys
have begun to question the officers OF t.e
Republic as to the facts Of the collision
This examination may continue over sew
eral days Unul II is fnisned. OF course.
the officers Of the company cannot know
themselves just what were the facts in
the case.
Declares speed Was Slew.
Mr. Franklin had his attention called
70 the statement issued on Monday in
behalf Of G. s. Richards & Co, the
American agents OF tire Italian steamer.
which had IL that the Florida was going
slowly under reversed engines al the
tine her prov plunged into the port side
Of the Republic and that the latter YES
sci was running al nigh rate of
speed" at the time
although We do not care 10 reply off,
cially 20 the statement Of the Florida
agents. Mr. Franklin replied. what We
have already learned from questioning
Capt SeaIby and the officers who were
with him on the bridge a. the time u
the disaster has been sufficient 10 make
Us doubt The truth Of the statement that
the Republic was making high speed Sle-
was travelling at reduced speed. for she
was IN the hands Of careful naviEstors.
and they found themselves enveloped in a
going at high speed under these circuu-
stances As 20 the Florids's speed it
could not have been so slow or she would
not have torn such hole In the Repub-
lies side.
Want FenIon-s story
The officials Of the international Mer-
camille Marine Company to-day requested
the Standard oil Company TO forward
them q copy OF report that had ben
made to the Standards marine depart
ment BY Capt. Feulon. Of the Standards
towing steamer City Of Everett Capt.
FenIon had reported 10 his company that
he had sent his first officer 10 the Re-
public to say that he was familiar with
the waters OF Nantucket. and that hs
believed he could tow the crippled Re-
public into Newport or shallow water
thereabouts. before she sank Capt.
SeaIby declined the offer Of sssisgaacs
at thar time.
Whether or not this report Of the
Standard towing captain viii weigh with
the officials Of the International Com
pauy in finding blame for the loss Of tbs
Republic. Mr.. Franklin did not care 70
state to-day
At the White Star Offices nothing had
been heard to-day Of any attempts o.
passengers 10 recover damages for loss OF
baggage. nor had the officers Of the com
pany learned that any suits Tor COM
penSation because Ct the deaths Of ths
three passengers killed in the collision
mad been contemplated by t. families Of
the deceased
Up to the he booking
offscers Of th many said
that only eight Of the survivors OF the
Republics passenger list had made ar
10 sail by White star boat
They aderland. which sailed to-day, and
upon which any OF the Republics pas
sensers desiring quick getaway could
have secured passage. did not carry one
Of them Twenty-Five Of the people who
came in from the water-Iogged ship. On
the Baltic Monday. have appeared at the
Offices and received the passage money
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