Evening star., 1915-07-01
State Department Awaits Of
ficiaI Report From Am
bassador Page.
FLIGHT OF VESSEL
MAKES SINKING LEGAL
President in Close Touch With Sec
retary Lansing Watching
Developments.

Until Ambassador Page in
London has submitted more de-
tailed reports regarding the tor
pedoing of the British liner Ar
menian, sailing from Newport
News, Va, off Cornwall, England,
Monday by a German submarine,
in which disaster twenty-one
Americans lost their lives, the
United States will take no action.
This announcement was made to-
day by Secretary Lansing.
Latest news dispatches from
Avonmouth saying that the Ar
menian made efforts to escape
after being ordered to stop
caused officials to believe the
sinking was accomplished in ac-
cordance with international law,
and that the United States might
have no reason to take up the sub
ject with Germany except to
verify through the admiralty at
Berlin the details of the Ar
menians reported resistance.
Under the rules of international
law it was pointed out that the
Armenian, which flew the British
flag, as we'll as any neutral YES
sci, could be sunk for refusing to
obey a warning to halt and sub
nit to visit and search or cap
ture.
Americans aboard such ship
lose protection Of their govern
ment when the vessel offers re-
6istance.
Engaged-in Admiralty Business.
Ambassador Page reported that the
Armenian was engaged in admiralty
business" but the question of how far
the vessel was under the control of the
British government by charter or
otherwise seemed to be overshadowed.
in the minds Of oficia1s here by the
reported resistance to capture.
There was a relaxation of tension in
official quarters by the news that the
Armenian apparently was resisting
capture, for what seemed to loom up as
a possible complication in the pending
negotiation over submarine warfare
with Germany appeared to be removed.
The report that the German COM
mander had come to the surface and
megaphoned the Armenian was re-
garded by many officials as indicating
an intention to visit and search even
enemy ships, a principle for which the
United States has been contending.
IT was suggested in some quarters that
the German submarine commanders
now may have new orders requiring
them not to torpedo any ships without
warning No cases have been reported
OF attack without warning in the last
few weeks.
The law on the question of charter is
not clear, but officials indicated II
would not be a violation of American
neutrality laws for an unarmed trans
port carrying a cargo OF munitions or
supplies for a belligerent government
10 sail from the United States, and
that it never had been definitely deter
mined whether belligerent cruisers on
encountering such vessel were 10
treat ii as a ship Of war or defense-
less merchantmen.
Consul John S. Armstrong, jr.. at Bris-
tol who sent first word Of the destruction
Of the steamer. yesterday reported TO Am
fa<xador Page that twenty-one Of the
twenty-nine Nmen lost with the Armenian
were Americans He gave no additional
Names although previous lists included
only twenty Americans.
The ambassadors dispatch gave no ad-
ditional details on which the State De-
partment could base consideration Of the
case He said that as the Armenian car
ried no passengers, presumably all Amer
lea Ms who perished were members OF the
crew.
IL was pointed out here. however. that
Americans seeking cheap transportation
frequently travel upon such ships as pas
sensers, although they are signed on the
ships roll as members Of the crew.
The department expected further dis
patches from Ambassador Page and
Consul Armstrong giving reports after
interviewing survivors
Oficials OF the steamship company
have stated that the Armenian was not
under charter to the British admiralty
but was sailing merely a merchant
man cirrying contraband
President in Touch.
At the White House II was stated
touch from Cornish. n. H.. and that nc
steps would be taken until complete
repots had been received The Pres
ident probably would not hasten his re-
turnto Washington. it was said:
Secretary Tumulty was In communi-
catifn with the President until late last
nigh, forwarding details The Pres
ideH was In communication with the
White House offices again tarly today
aftS Mr.. Tumuity had conferred with
Sec ietary Lansing.
May Add to Complication
u many quarters 'the- sinking OF tn.
Vessel was regarded as liksly to ado
further complications to the CORE
sp,ndence pending between German,
and the United States over the ques
tion of submarine warfare.
Dne rablegram to the dPartmen
spoke u q second shot" having AeeI
Ated al the wireless house OF the AR
1ce9inusd on Fourteenth fage.l