New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-16
Serve Notice Attacks
Without Warning
Will Continue.
WILL DISREGARD
AMERICAN LIVES
u. S. Officials Astonished
at apology" for the
NebraSkan Affair.
RESENT TONE OF NOTE
Memorandum Regarded as Flat
Rejection of Principle of
Visit and Search.

Washington, July l5.-The Ger
man government again served notice
on the United States to-day that it
proposed TO continue TO torpedo bel
ligerent merchant ships, regardless
Of whether or not American citizens
were on board. This notification is
contained in q memorandum apollo
gizing for the attack on the Arleri-
can steamer Nebraskan, but justify
ing the commander of the submarine,
which was received at the State De-
partment to-day.
Germany's note Is viewed with
astonishment and deep concern by
high officials Of the State Depart
ment, who fear it will gravely com-
plicate the tense situation between
this country and Germany. To
admit that in this case, or that Of
the William P. Frye, the Germans
high handed action was justified
would establish a dangerous prece-
dent, officials believe.
The excuse given by the German
government for the torpedoing Of the
Nebraskan is that she had no neutral
marking on her freeboard and was
not flying any flag. The memoran-
dunn also says it was impossible,
because of the twilight, 10 see the
name of the steamer from the cub
marine.
"Since the commander Of the SUBJ
marine" the memorandum goes on,
"was obliged TO assume from his
wide experience In the area Of mari
time war that only English steamers
and no neutral steamers traversed
this war area without flag and mark
ings, he attacked the vessel WIKI
torpedo, in the conviction that he had
an enemy vessel before him"
The memorandum then exonerates
the commander of the submarine from
eny blame. "The attack on the steam
er Nebraskan was not meant for the
American flag" It says, NOR is it
tracesble to any fault on the part OF
the commander Of the German sub
marine, but is to be considered an un-
fortunate accident"
Officials Resent Tone.
The cold -blooded way in which the
German government has sought 70 in
form this country that had the Ne
braskan been flying the British flag its
torpedoing would have been justified,
regardless of the fact that American
citizens may have been on board, has
aroused the keenest resentment among
officials here. 1t is noted that the
American flag only is referred to. There
is no mention Of American lives, and
the only construction placed on the
note here is that German submarines
will continue to sink belligerent mer-
chant ships, whether or not Americans
are on board.
State Department officials declined
TO make any comment as TO the effect
of the memorandum on the answer OF
this country 70 Germany's most recent
note. That it served 70 make negotia'
tions between the two countries still
graver in character was admitted. Its
effect on the Lusitania case was not
denied. for in the German memorandum
it is expressly pointed out that had
the Nebraskan been a British vessel
the act Of the German submarine COM
mander would have been justified.
The memorandum is regarded as an
EXPRESS rejection by Germany Of the
principle of visit and search, which
has been insisted upon in this govern
ment's representations concerning the
sinking of the Lusitania. In apologiz-
ing for the torpedoing of the Nebras-
kan, Germany disregards altogether the
fact tina. the submarine commander
failed to give warning TO the vessel and
omitted the formality of visit.
News that Austria had protested 10
this government against shipments Of
arms, and that Germany ana Turkey
were expected to follow suit, added a
further complication to the situation.
Il has been the desire Of the United
States TO treat such matters separately,
but officials believe Germany is trying
TO confuse the issue by introducing new
controversies.
Markings Not Necessary.
In the Nebraskan case Germany also
claims justification for her act by the
fact, as she alleges, the Nebraskan car
,iaJ "no neutral markings on her free