Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-05-04
No Declaration of Policy viii
Be Undertaken Until All the
Facts Regarding Sinking of
Steamer Are Known,
INDEMNITY LIKELY TO
BE ASKED OF GERMANY
Course Pursued in Case of
William P. Frye Leads to
Belief That Matters viii Be
Satisfactorily Adjusted,
t.v ponn,ss ,ou.n.t s-se,.l ls.ssO w,ns.

Washington, May J.-fenulnB an
official investigation of the circum-
stances of the wrecking of the Ameri-
can steamer Gulflight in the English
channel the United States government
will defer diplomatic representations
as well as any pronouneement of poll
icy.
Two messages were received today
from American consul stephens at
Plymouth, England, reporting that the
Outright was torpedoed off the Scilly
islands Tuesday and that her captain
died OF heart failure and two mem-
bers OF the crew were drowned.
Secretary Bryan called attention 10
the fact that the source OF his author
ite was not given by Consul Stephens
and that the messages read as II he
were reporting on Information what
he had heard rather than facts Off
clally learned.
To Call for Report.
Mr. Bryan said he would ask for Il
thorough and complete report from
the American consul and would direct
Ambassador Gerard at Berlin to make
similar inquiries Of the German gov
ernment for such facts as 1t might
have on the subject
The secretary announced that he
did not wish to make any predictions
as to the course Of the American gov
ernment's policy until all the facts
We're in its possession.
Officials were careful not to take
II for granted through reports that
German torpedo struck the Gull
flight. Until there is definite proof
no statement bearing on the delicate
point of responsibility was deemed ex-
pedient.
Indemnity Probable.
Should the investigation bear out
the dispatches claiming that Ger
man submarine made the attack, the
United States probably will demand
an indemnity sufficient to cover the
losses incurred by the ship and COM
pensation to the families of the vie
TINS. II Is thought probable that an
expression of formal regret also will
be requested
While the question Sof the right of
submarines to attack belligerent mer-
chantmen without giving warning or
time for non-c comb batants to be trans
ferred to places Of safety is covered In
the declaration of London. any diplo-
matte action Of the United States very
likely will be based on the treaty OF
1928 between Prussia and the United
States Early in the war the United
States served notice on Germany and
other belligerents that in view of the
piecemeal adoption of the declaration
or London by the belllgerents, the
Washington government would not be
bound by the declaration but by pre-
vious existing treaties and rules OF
law.
Already the German government
has taken cognizance of the treaty of
1928 as binding In the present day,
agreeing to pay for the loss of the
American ship Frye
No Trouble Expected
While the seriousness of the attack
upon the Gulflight was Il matter of
discussion In official quarters, today
the belief was held by high officials
that the German government il re-
sponsible would not seek to Justify the
sct but would promptly agree 10 make
II was pointed out that un-
I'll there Is proof of any deliberate in
tention on the part of the German
submarine commander 10 attack
american vessels. the experience of
the Outright must be regarded as an
accident though one for which am
pie reparation would be demanded
President Wilson. on his return
from Willlamstown, Mass. communi- |
Gated with Secretary Bryan and state
department officials, who Immediately |
began an investigation of the law per- |
-aininS to the case. Their opinion Is |
mat from the reports thus far re- |
,eived there was no excuse for the at
'aek on the vessel, for even IL she
could be accused OF carrying contra
Dand, the ship should have been visit |
"a ana searched and her crew trans |
erred to place of safety before the |
.argn could he cnnfisnaton