Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-07-27
London Standard Comments
on Possible Effect on U. S.
Of LeeIanaW's Sinking.
CREW OF LOST VESSEL
DUE AT DUNDEE TODAY
Paper Urges Great Britain to Rescind
Orders in Council to Prevent
Clash With United States.

LONDON. July 27.--For the most part
th1 London morning newspapers re-
frain from editorial comment on the
sinking by a German submarine of the
American steamer Leelanaw. but give 1t
great prominence in their news col
umns.
The Standard in an editorial thinks
that the incident bound to bring the
crisis between the United States and
Germany appreciably closer. and that
the sinking Of the steamer will appear
to American sentiment very like a de-
liberate defiance Of President Wilson's
protest The newspaper adds that it
realizes the United States will keep
out Of the European conflict IL 1t pos
sibly can. but says that a rupture of
relations with Germany seems newt
able.
Would A1lay Friction.
The editorial concludes by advising
the British government to allay fric-
ton with the United States by declar-
ing cotton contraband and by rescind-
ing the irritating orders in council.
All the crew Of the American steam
or Leelanaw are expected to reach
Dundee today, when II will be possib BILE
to obtain a full account Of the sinking
Of the vessel of the Orkney Islands
Sunday night. The episode has created
widespread discussion in England.
coming, as It did, almost coincident
with the delivery of the American note
to Germany.
Gave Warning to Steamer.
Only meager accounts Of the destruc-
ton Of the Leelanaw have been received
here. but it is clear that the submarine
gave tho commander Of the steamer
ample warning. even permitting the
crew to collect part Of their effects be-
fore taking them aboard the under
water craft. which then. through the
combined use Of shell fire and bombs.
sent the vessel to the bottom.
The London evening papers, in telling
of the incident, employ. in some cases.
suggestive captions, such as IAN Tn
friendly Act" But because the Ameri-
can note laid SO much stress on the de-
ships should not be jeopardized with
out warning, it was difficult for the
English mind to determine whether the
sinking OF the ship after the crew were
taken OH constituted what America
would regard as a repetition OF acts
which she insisted must cease.
E. H. Dennison. the American consul
at Dundee. sent the Associated Press
the following message last night: mo
details yet. except crew landed at
Kirkwall this morning. Have ordered
them sent to Dundee on tomorrow's
boat
When last seen tho German subma-
rine was in pursuit OF a steamer. the
smoke Of which was observed after the
Leelanaw's crew had been towed to-
ward the shore.
Shots Fired at Vessel.
A dispatch from Kirkwall to the Gen.
trail News Agency says that after the
members Of tho crew left the Leena-
nav about a dozen shots were fired at
tho steamer. They failed to sink her,
however. and she ultimately was sent
to tho bottom by q torpedo. The mem
bers OF the crew were taken aboard
the submarine, the dispatch adds, and
were well treated. When in sight of
the Orkney Islands, the men were or
dered to return to their boats and the
submarine disappeared.