The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1915-02-23
DAMAGE CLAIM
MAY Be PUT IN
Not Yet Known by Which Coun=
try the Fatal Mine Was
Placed.
A FULL PROBE is ORDERED
Washington Officials State,
However, That No Serious
Complications Can Result
From Sinking of Steamer.
eazE3aEsxasasxED 'sN~ '-a~s~s-ss-s.
A FULL PROBE IS ORDERED

WASHINGTON, Feb. % Secretary
Daniels today ordered Commander
Walter R. Gerhardi American naval
attache at Berlin, to investigate and
make full report on the destruction
of the American cotton steamer Ev-
elyn off the German coast. So far
official advices merely have reported
the sinking of the vessel and her car
go, but gave no details.
Secretary Daniels explained that
his purpose in directing an inquiry
after the state department had called
upon the ambassadors at London and
Berlin for a report, was TO secure
technical information which perhaps
might not be included in the ambas-
sadors' replies. 1t was, of course, un-
derstood that Commander Gc"hardi
would be guided entirely by Am jdGsa-
dor Gerard in making his inve5tiga-
ton.
1t was said at the navy department
that from presnt indications that it
will be difficult for the naval officer
to secure exact information of what
actually destroyed the Evelyn. I'm
less Captain Smith or some of the
crew of the steamship actually saw
submarine, officials say it would not
be possible to deny that the Evelyn
was sunk by mine.
AS the Evelyn lies at the bottom
of the North Sea, examination of her
hull would be difficult 1t was point
ed out, however, that German Off
cials disclose to the American naval
officer in confidence the map of their
mine fields in the vicinity where the
Evelyn was sunk.
The minister from The Netherlands
called at the state department early
today to inquire what reports this
government had received. about the
Evelyn. He said he had no official
report After comforting with Coun-
sellor Lansing he expressed the opin-
ion that the sinking apparently must
have been entirely accidental.
Chairman Stone of the senate for
egn relations committee said he fore
saw no international complications
over the incident.
"An American vessel" said the sena-
tor, "ventured into an area known to
be mined and unfortunately struck
one. So far it is not known what
nation laid the mine. 1t is probable
that a national claim for damages
might be made when all the facts
are established, but l cannot see how
serious complications could result"
Sinking of the steamer Evelyn, off
mine although the crew was saved,
brought vividly before official Wash
ington today the dangers to which
American vessels are exposed in the
waters adjacent to the belligerent
coasts of Europe.
The American note warning Ger
many against attacks on American
vessels in the sea war zones applied
only to submarines. Since the out
break of the war the North Sea has
SDeen mined by both Germany and
Great Britain and an added warning
the German reply to the American
note last week in announcing that
mines would be strewn in the waters
surrounding Great Britain and Ire
land and in the English channel
Was Pilot Aboard?
Hitherto pilots have been offered
for neutral vessels. Whether or not
the Evelyn had an opportunity to
obtain pilot or whether she struck
a mine with a pilot aboard were ques-
tions on which officials expected to
receive definite information today or
tomorrow from Ambassador Page at
London and Ambassador Gerard at
Berlin, to- both of,whom the state de
partment directed Inquiries.
The only message before the de-
partment early today was from
American Consul Fee, at Bremen,
who reported that the Evelyn had
been blown up" but did not give the
cause His cablegram stated that the
ship and cargo had been lost, but