The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1915-09-09
AWAIT REPORT
ON HESPERIAN
Berlin viii Be Asked For In
formation on Case.
NO SUBMARINE WAS SIGHTED

Opinion Seems to Prevail, ship Was
Torpedoed-united States Hopeful
Destruction Of ship Was Not the
Result Of Attack.
Washington. Sept. 1.-While the be-
lief prevaifs that the German govern
ment must make some statement
with regard to the sinking OF the
Canadian liner Hesperisn. no conclu-
sions were reached here as to the ef-
feet the incident will have on the rela-
tions between the United States and
Germany and the submarine issue
generally.
What few Indications there were Of
opinion in Official quarters led TO the
belief that the administration will well
come any fact which tends to show
that II was not q torpedo which
caused the sinking OF the Hesperian.
Consul Frost, at Queenstown, has
added nothing to his message, saying
that the Hesperian with two Ameri-
cans on board, had been torpedoed,
and no message at all on the subject
was received from Ambassador Page
at London. II is expected that Consul
Frost will soon have additional in
formation gained from the officers Of
the Hesperian, while 1t is thought Am
bassador Page will have some facts
from the British admiralty to trans
init to Washington.
The sinking Of the Hesperian before
she reached Queenstown is regarded
by many as favorable circumstance
to the extent that II will make 1t much
more difficult to determine positively
whether the vessel was struck by a
torpedo or a mine. As the case stands
now. though. II is generally believed
that torpedo caused the damage, al
though there is no positive proof,
while examination Of the vessel her
self Is out Of the question.
According TO reports received so
far. the Hesperian was struck in the
darkness; there was simply a violent
explosion and that was all. Persons
taking the German point Of view, lay
much stress on the fact that practical
ly all on board were British or Canad-
ians. hence biased In their opinion.
While officials find II most difficult
to believe that either the German gov
ernment or a submarine commander
would do anything in violation OF Am
basssdor Bernstorff's statement that
the Berlin government had decided
many weeks ago not to sink liners
without warning, the mine theory is
regarded as doubtful. There have not
been any proven cases of British float
ing mines being loose In those waters:
It is stated by navigators that the
currents in that region are such that
mines would be carried northward
rather than to the south of ireland, II
any laid in the channels had been
broken loose.
Ofiicials here believe the statements
Of passengers establish beyond doubt
the fact that II torpedo was fred at
the Hesperian, It was fired without
warning.
The expectation is that the usual In
quiry will be addressed to the Berlin
government as to whether II had any
information about the case. An an
swer to this inquiry WIN probably be
delayed two or three weeks-the
Arabic was sunk nearly three weeks
ago and the German government has
not yet answered the inquiry OF the
United States. Upon the response
given by Germany In the Hesperian
case much will depend. Should the
German government deny responsible.
ity, many here believe that II will be
most difficult for the United States to
make an issue OF the Hesperian in
view Of the lack Of proof that II was
submarine which caused the sink
ing OF the liner. Should responsible
fly be admitted, II is the hope and ex.
pectation Of Washington that the ac-
tion Of the commander will be dis
avowed.