The Washington herald., 1915-02-24
CRISIS Seen IN
CARIB'S sinking
Disaster to Second American
Ship OFF German Coast
Causes Anxiety.
EFFECT ON u. S. FEARED
Officials Believe American People Will
Soon Demand Vigorous
Move.

| oih>ioi w hcdTu last
with grave concern that a second
American ship has been sunk off the
German coast. This news. following
SO closely upon the disaster to the
American cotton ship Evelyn has add
ed to the growing seriousness of the
situation confronting this government.
The Clyde Line steamship Carib,
with a cargo of cotton. bound for
Bremen. is said to be the latest Amer
lean vessel to suffer from the mine
Mying warfare. No official confirma-
ton of the sinking of the Carib had
been received at the State Department
up TO late hour. but there seemed
TO be no reason TO doubt the accuracy
of the news dispatches from Europe.
While there is every disposition on
the part of Washington officials to
minimize the seriousness of these &C
cidents to American vessels in Eu-
ropean waters. il is acknowledged that
the effect upon the American people
will be cumulative and that there
cannot be many more repetitions with
out vigorous move on the part of
this government.
On top of the news of the sinking
of another American vessel came the
information last night that the British
admiralty had announced that the Irish
Channel in the North Channel waters.
lying between England and Scotland
and Ireland. have been restricted for
navigation. This was regarded here as
the first tangible evidence of the effect
iveness of the German war zone cam
paign.
The sinking of the Carib by a mine
in the neighborhOod OF Germany will
expedite consideration OF steps already
taken under advisement by this gov
eminent as the result OF the disaster to |
the Evelyn. 1t is expected that the |
United States will Immediately lay be-
fore Germany and Great Britain its |
views on the subject OF the laying of |
mines on the high seas.
EveIy9 Wrecked by Mine
Information that the Evelyn was de-
by mine was received by |
the State Department yesterday in a |
from Ambassador Gerard. The |
declaration of Mr.. Gerard to that eff
feet is based report received |
from United States Consular Agent |
Joseph F. Buck at Bremerhaven. This |
is the first report the government has |
had disclosing the exact cause of the
Evelyn's destruction.
Mr.. Buck speaks of the sinking of |
the Evelyn by a mine between Borkum
Island and Nordernay." He says after
The explosion, three boats were manned
and left the ship. One is missing The
captain and twenty eight men were
said to be saved by a German scout
boat"
No information has been given out
officially here to show whether or not
the Evelyn had a pilot on board. Re-
cent reports have shown that, in cases
where vessels were piloted toward
the English pilots returned
after they had reached The Hook of
4 report in the case OF the ship
Elmonte.
No New Action Proposed
President Wilson discussed with his
|abinet many of the questions pend
ng and which seem to demand
urther representations to Great Brit
lin and Germany, concerning the
safety of American ships. the rights
II such ships in the war zones, the
Use and misuse of the American flag,
he German charge that submarine
ire constructed in the United States
or the allies, and the indscriminate
Use of floating mines. one of which ,
nay have caused the destruction of
he Evelyn and perhaps some of its '
rev. II
After the Cabinet meeting, Secretary
'ryan said this government has not ,
any new representations to ,
he belligerent governments. g
Members of the Diplomatic Corps are G
Extremely interested in all of these
ending international questions and :
lake frequent calls at the State De- :
artment One of these diplomats. yes
erday in an interview. said it appears 5
o have been forgotten that it is the $
ractice Of the German squadrons or
hips. when they approach the English
cast for raids. and retire. to strew the
ca behind them with mines for the
cry purpose of destroying their pur-
uers.
He said that some of such mines A
light have foated in the direction of +
orkum. He also suggested the possi-
ility that German mines which had =
cen close to the German shore might 7
ave escaped and noated out. or that L
ussian mines had foated down. He ]
aid that all the Scandinavian coun- Il
res had mined their coasts.
Will Depend on Probe. p
In talks the President had with cal 3
,ere was some information that Capt. s.
NTH, of the Evelyn. had disobeyed
rders and was out of his course at the
me of the explosion. Based on the
at hand. the President ex- ii
ressed the belief that Capt. Smith was
king large chances in adopting the
,urse near the Borkum Islands. From
erman sources, 1T was stated that the NJ
~ nc Dll. -.