New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-07
Washington Sees No DIFF
ference IN Issues Raised
in Each.
SIMILAR OUTCOME
ALSO LOOKED FOR
Officials Believe Germany Will
Make Apologies, Which U. S.
Will Accept.
From The Tribun. Burssu.l

Washington, Sept. 6.-No difference
is seen by officials here, so far as the
facts are now known unoficially, be-
tween the sinking by German subma-
rines of the Arabic and OF the Hes
perian. No difference Is expected,
either, in the outcome. AS Germany
has promised reparaton and dsavowal
in the Arabic case, it is expected she
will do the same in that of the Hes
perian.
The United States, officials declare,
will be obliged to accept the disavowal,
in spite of the fact that it is consid-
cred highly improbable that the sub.
marine commander was ignorant OF
any orders issued against making at
tacks without warning, for Ambassador
Won Bernstorff wrote Secretary Lam
sing that the order he quoted TO show
Germany's change of policy was issued
before the Arabic was sunk. 1t Is un-
derstood, however, that this govern
ment cannot make policy of accepting
disavowals of repeated "disobedlence OF
orders" along this line.
The State Department cabled to Am
bassador Page and Consul Frost to-
day. instructirg them to obtain tull IN
formation, based on affidavits, concern
ing the sinking of the Hesperlan. Inc
department mas no report whlcn SHOWS
clearly whether the Hesperian was
conveyed or was trying to resist or es-
cape after being warned. Untl par
ticulars are received ofticials re1use
to believe that a German submarine
attacked the liner without justitlcatlon.
Seeking Full Details.
Il is expected that with the arrival
of the rescued passengers in London
complete testimony concerning tne
sinking of the vessel will become avail
able. As in the case Of the Arabic
Ambassador Page probably Will caole
summaries of the passengers atiidavits,
sending the complete text by mail. Inc
cabled summaries of the aftidaylts IN
the Arabic case were not entirely satls-
factory to the State Department,
though they were stated to be very
convincing. From this experience 1t IS
inferred that no decision as TO the
Hesperian will be made until the texts
are received, which may mean a de-
lay. A. AL;.
and Hesperian affairs, it is pointed out
that both vessels were British pas
senger liners, westward bound. Ihey
were struck in the same waters, and IN
circumstances that are regarded as
narallel in every respect. In neither
case is there any testimony TO indicate
that a warning was given, or tnat lne
vessels were acting IN manner 10
arouse the suspicion of a hostile SUD-
marine.
II is expected that if the Hesperian
was attacked by a German submarine
a report will be forthcoming from Der,
lin before the affidavits are received
here If the German government mas
the attack was without justification, 1t
undoubtedly will disavow it. In that
event it is admitted by high officials,
this government would have no alterna-
tive but to accept the apology.
Should no disavOwal or explanation
he forthcoming, it is likely that Secre-
torv Lansing will instruct Ambassador
Gerard TO make inquiries at the Berlin
Foreign Office. II is not probable, how
over. that the German government VIII
do ANYTHING definite until the command
er of the submarine is heard from.
No New Question Involved.
OttlclalS declare NHOlt 10 Nv -"
ouestion of international law involved
in the sinking OF the Hesperian. The
nIen that the vessel was armed or was
carving troops will not he entertained
bv this government. Germany's only
justification, therefore, must rest on
the assertion that the Hesperian was
conveyed. or was attempting to resist
or escape.
The fact that several passengers
were on deck when the Hesperian was
struck. and that no mention Is made
in the accounts thus far received OF
the presence of a convoy, or of any
warning TO the Hesperian TO heave to,
is regarded as good evidence that none
of these defences Is tcnable. Officials
declare. after a careful examination Of
the meagre evidence received, that Ger
many must either den or disavoy the
act.
Great regret is expressed that the
Hesperian should have sunk after re-
naming so long afoat, as an examina-
tion Of the damage to her hull un-
doubtedly would have revealed con-
clusively whether she was struck by
mine or a torpedo. When the Ameri
can steamer Nebraskal was attacked
am subsequently drydoeked pieces OF
h. hold 20