The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1915-05-06
REPARATION FOR
CULFLICHT LOSS
United States TO Call Germany
10 Account.
OFFICIALS NON : COMMITTAl

Germany to Decide ss to Present
Friendly Relations - Government
Awaits Public Opinion Before TAX.
Ing Definite Steps In Matter.
Washington. May <.-More appre-
hension exists in Washington over re-
ports OF the torpedoing Of the Ameri-
can tank ship Gulnight by a German
submarine. than has been caused by
any previous event growing out Of
the war.
Brief reports already have been
received at the state department from
the consulate at Plymouth. England.
which makes II clear that Consul
stephens has information that the
Gulnight was torpedoed by q German
submarine; that the captain and two
OF the crew lost their lives a. q re-
suit, and that the damaged vessel has
been towed to the Scilly Islands by
the British. These reports leave
much to be desired as to circum-
stances which must be known posi-
lively before the full effect of the In
cident internationally can be fore
seen. Secretary Bryan h.. called
upon the departments representa-
tives, both in Enkland and Germany,
to forward at once all facts obtain
able in the case.
Oficials are seeking to maintain
. non-committal attitude, pending the
receipt Of official dispatches estab-
fishing all the facts, but there 10 NO
concealment Of the belief that II the
circumstances prove to Be a. now
understood. q very serious issue will
have been raised between the United
states and Germany, and one which
may have q far reaching effect on
the plans OF the two nations.
II was strongly indicated here that
omcisls nnd II difhcult to view the
sinking OF the Gulfisht by itself. In
stead OF being considered as an iso-
lated case, II 10 regarded - more the
eliminating incident in q series. tend
Ing towards an alarming disregard OF
American rights. and the respect due
the American government. The &C
tion which the administration will be
Obliged to take In the Gulhight case,
unless subsequent developments very
materially alter the present under
standing OF It, will at least be likely
to clear the air and develop a more
thorough understanding between the
German government and the United
States as to the status OF American
shipping.
That II will be for Germany her.
self to decide whether the friendly
relations between two governments
shall continue uninterrupted or not,
was the very positive statement made
here. II was pointed out that the
facts in the Gulfiight case. as they
have been developed thus far. leave
the United States no choice OF action.
but necessitates the calljns OF Ger.
many to account for the attack by
her armed forces on the American
nag. II Germany chooses to be dis.
agreeable in replying TO the United
States demands for reparstion. II will
be impossible TO foretell what the
effect may be In relation between the
two nations. On the other hand. II
Germany should apologize for the act
OF her naval commander and offer
money reparation. the incident prob
ably would have no serious conse-
Quences
II is admitted in oficial quarters
that much will depend, as regards the
situation between the United States
and Germany, on public opinion In
the United States. The administra-
tion viii follow rather than lead. PUB