Evening star., 1915-03-07
FEAR BURNING SHIP
IS VICTIM OF PLOT
London Shipping Circles Scent
Incendiarism in Case
of La Touraine.
RESCUE VESSEL STANDS
BY LINER IN DISTRESS
Rotterdam Ready to Lend Every As.
sistance-British Cruiser Also
Rushes to Scene.
Special Cablegram to The Star.


LONDON. March Fears that the
French liner La Touraine had been set
afre as a result of a German incen-
diary plot in New York are expressed
by an official in the London Office Of the
Compagnie Generate TransatlantiQue.
a further message from the steam
ship La Touraine, received at Queens
town, says that the steamer Rotter-
dam is standing by prepared to render
every assistance. including the trans
fer of passengers if necessary. Wire
less messages have been sent out to
the steamers Arabic. Cornishman,
Swanmore and Stanford. saying that
their assistance is not now required.
Cruiser Goes to Rescue.
Meantime. however, an S. o. s. call had
been picked up by British cruiser on
patrol duty Ill the Atlantic and she had
proceeded at top speed to the assistance
of La Touraine. Her aid is not consid-
cred necessary. as the captain OF the
Rotterdam has promised to stand by La
Touraine until she Is safely navigated
to port.
When the Rotterdam reached La
Touraine the crew of the latter vessel
at their disposal.
Discusses Possible Plot.
In discussing the possibility Of plot
against La Touraine the steamship OFF,
cial said:
I'VE have received no word at the
La Touraine except through unofficial
- Sx,F &c. .,l~o he xka
victim of German incendiaries in New
York. Every precaution has been taken
since the outbreak of war to supervise
the loading Of our vessels in New York
to forestall any dastardly attempts
which might be made by enemies with q
view to sinking the vessel after reaching
the high seas.
I'VE have been more than ever vigi-
liant since the reports reached here that
plots to destroy other liners had been
discovered"
Shipping Men Fearful.
There was q general feeling among
the officials OF other transatlantic lines
today that La Touraine might have
been the object OF an incendiary plot.
and the shipping men guardedly admit
they have been fearing some grave
disaster to transatlantic liners through
enemy Vaccinations.
Wireless messages received at
Queenstown and Valentia stations indi-
Gated La Touraine'S position was 4S.06
north. 2O.14 west. which would make
it 500 miles west southwest of Cape
Clear and $50 miles almost due west Of
Lands End
Fire Starts in Morning.
PARIS, March 6.-A director of the
Compagnie Generate Transatlantique
said this afternoon:
From a wireless dispatch we have
received we are given to understand
that fire broke out on La Touraine at
s o'clock this morning. Four ships.
which were within wireless range, have
gone to her assistance. Among them
are the Arabic and the Rotterdam"
He. added that no word had been re-
ceived concerning the steamship with the
exception of this message.
This director stated that the fire ZAP
parently was serious"
THE Arabic and Rotterdam" he said,
should now be close to La Touraine,
which is 900 miles from Havre."
The French ministry of marine re-
ceived from one of its wireless stations
today the news that La Touraine was
afire about 400 knots off the Irish coast.
Beyond this bare announcement the min
istry has received no news of the vessel.
Precautions in New York.
NEW YORK. March 6.-Dr. ]. Dar-
win NageL a physician of the French
hospital, who was at La Touraines
pier to see the party of doctors and
nurses off the day she sailed, said
today that he was much impressed
with the precautions taken by her
officers to scrutinize all persons desir-
ing to board ship He said he had
been informed by one Of the officers
that the strict measures had been
taken to prevent any one boarding
her who might do her injury from mo-
tives inspired by the war.
LAS an instance" he said. "a pho
tographer was kept back of the rope
that was stretched across the pier. I
asked one of the officers of the ship to
let him through, but he would not. He
is probably all right said the officer.
but in these times we have to be most
careful as to who comes near the
ship