Omaha daily bee., 1915-12-28
YASAKA MARU SUNK
WITHOUT WARNING
Officers First See PeriscOpe After
Torpedo Hits Liner-NO Flag
visible at Any Time
PROMISES A NEW COMPLICATION


WASHINGTON. Dec. 27--Ameri-
can Consul Bristow at Port Said
eabled today that no warning was
given the japanese liner Yasaka
Maru before II was torpedoed and
sunk in the Mediterranean last
Tuesday by a submarine Of unestab-
IIshed nationality. The liner, he
added, made no attempt to escape.
The consul's dispatch, which came
In response to Secretary Lansings
call for reports on the disaster, was
the first official information on the
incident, which probably will be the
subject OF further diplomatic corre-
spondence with the Teutonic powers.
Todays report said the submarine was
not seen until after the liner had been
torpedoed and that then only its perl
scope was visible The general assump-
ton Ia that the submarine must have
been German or Austrian.
The Yasaka Maru case Is generally re-
garded by officials and diplomats here
a. surrounded with wide possibilities. II
has been suggested that Japan might
answer the challenge 20 It's shipping by
a wide participation in the war, even 10
the extent OF taking part in the opera
tons In Europe.
Submarine Probably Austrians.
A. Germany has already given assur-
ances that It's submarine commanders
were under instructions not TO attack
position to believe the attacking boat
was an Austrian. II that assumption
proves true. Il is feared the situation
over the Ancona will be further compli-
Gated and the diplomatic correspondence
with Austria will be broadensd to take
in the general subject of attack without
warning. as II did In the last stages OF
the negotiations with Germany.
Unofficial reports OF a favorable reply
by the Vienna foreign office 70 the last
Ancona note have not served 10 alter the
attitude OF the State department in the
Ancona case.
The report that the reply "w!iI he
guided with concern for the good rela-
tlons" between the two countries. officials
take II, means that Austria. Hungary
probably expects more diplomatic cor
respondence upon the subject. The
United States II dIsinclined 10 enter into
any such negotiations.
should II develop that an Austrian sub
marine torpedoed the Yasaka Maru with
out warning. the Vienna foreign office
undoubtedly will be asked TO dlsavow the
act and 70 give assurances TO govern
future conduct OF its submarine warfare.
JAPANESE Repors or Incident.
TOXIC. Dec. N.--Detailed advicea re-
ceived here today from Port said con-
cerning the sinking OF the Yasaka Maru
corroborate previous statements that the
steamship was torpedoed without warn-
ing. IL IL said Il was attacked AT Ans n
m. by q submarine whose presence hat
not been observed. No flag was Visible.
shortly after the torpedo was dis
charged. tow periscopes, one long ano
one short. appeared above the water
within 200 feet OF the steamship. They
moved TO . position Off the stern In the
staTboard side, the advices relate, "A
thogh to discharge second torpedo Il
necessary.
After the Yasaka Maru sank con.
ming tower was visible for brief time
at q point about a mile away.
The reports describe the minner IN
which all on board the steamship entered
the boats safely. this having been ac.
compiiahed within ten minutes OF IN,
time the torpedo was discharged. Tn,
captain caused the boats 10 be tied 10
gether. Sails were hoisted and. in ao
cordince with a plan arranged pre-
viously BY wireleas. southeastern,
course was taken This was held unit
midnight, whom the French gunboat whicl
rescued the passengers and crew was met
Durins the evening the periscope OF tn
submarine reappeared only few yard
from the boats. but the submarine itsel
was not visible. The passengers praise,
the captain and crew for their coolnes
and discipline. There was no sign Q
panic throughout tho long ordeal.
According to a statement made 10 IN
Diet BY the finance minister. there wa
on board the Yasaka Maru gold 70 N
value Of 100000 yen ls5co.oo0.