South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-07-02
State Department Considers
Matter Closed Pending Re-
Ceipt of Further Official Re-
ports of Submarine Attack.
MAY RAISE QUESTIONS
OVER EXAMINATIONS
Surveillance Exercised by u. S.
Customs Officials Likely to
be Subject of Probe = No
New Cause For Complaint.

WASHINGTON, July 2-There was
q marked lessening of tension IN OIL
fcial Washington today over the sink
ing Of the steamship Armenian with
loss OF American lives.
state department authorities still
maintained their official silence pend
ing complete reports from its repre-
sentatives investigating the disaster,
nut there was evident about the de-
partment adispOsitiOn 90 consider the
incident closed as far as this govern
ment was concerned.
Officials generally we're inclined to
accept the press reports showing that
Capt Trickey resisted capture ana
this. together with Ambassador Pages
statement that the British .dmiralty
stated the vessel was on admiralty
business. gave the impression that
the Germans were justified under the
rules of war. in sinking the mule ship.
II was stated that under international
law. a belligerent warship is war
ranted i'm sinking an enemy vessel
that ignores a warning command TO
halt even though non-cOmbatants be
aboard.
The point was raised in some quar-
tcrs however, that in view Of the
fact that Germany practically had
given warning that the kaiser's sub
marine commanders would sink en-
omy ships without notice, jusuhcatlOn
might he found for "a merchantmen
carrying cOntrahand 10 resist capture,
since under this warning the merch-
ant commander had no assurance OF
safety But the majority opinion in
administration circles seemed inclined
toward the former view of the case.
May Raise Questions.
While IL was admitted generally
that if the official reports should bear
h
affair there would be little Likelihood
of any new cause for complaint TO be
made i'm connection with the issues
now pending between the United
States and Germany. IL was intimated
hy officials that the sinking of the
Armenian might raise some questions
as To- the extent of surveillance eN-
crcised 10y American customs officials
over steamships sailing from the
United States with cOntraband car
goes.
It has been conceded by interna-
tioual law experts that Americans
have fun rights 20 sell war munitions
10 any nation at war and there Is no
statute directing the government to
prevent expectation OF arms. But 1T
was declared to be a settled principle
shat the United States cannot permit
n belligerent TO establish supply
base here or send government ships
to- take away munitions of war. This
phase of the case it was suggested,
might be made the basis of some dis
cussion as the result of the Aremenian
affair. The belief of officials that the
issue i'm the LusiJania case would be
adjusted satisfactorily with Germany
has not been changed 10y this latest
loss of American lives at the hands
Of German submarines. il was stated
today.
Likely 10 bc satisfactory.
This attitude was the result OF the
unofficial reports from Germany that
preliminary draft OF the Berlin re-
PLY has been sent 10 the kaiser and
that IL is the hope of the German
.authorftieS that il viii satisfy Pres't
Wilson and that the plan 90 safe
guard Americans in the war zone to
Toe suggested in the note will prove
satisfactory 90 the American govern
ment.
The work of obtaining facts to pre-
sent TO the British authorities ON in
reference with American shipping Is
still going forward.
The state department had new
protest against the alleged misuse by
the British OF the American flag for
its C0IVideratlOn.
Ii is stated that affidavits have been
sent 20 Washington by Ambassador
Gerard and American consular officers
in Germans accusing the British OF
flying the stars and stripes apparently
TO avoid attacks 10y German sub
marines
Searching investigation is being
made by this government and IL has
been intimated that should the facts
bear out the charges, representations
~ NH Er UrlHn "a G-rpnf Tlrftofn