New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-01
Washington Fears Grave
Consequences from
Falaba Tragedy.
STATE DEPARTMENT
INSISTS ON SILENCE
U. S. Note to Germany Said De.
struction of American Life
Would Be Unfriendly Act.
lrrom Tie Tribune nureau.l

Washington. March 31.--So serious
is the international situation created
by the drowning Of Leon Chester
Thrasher, the American engineer VINO
went down in the British steamer Fall
aba. that a renewed policy OF silence
on the subject has been enjoined upon
all State Department officials.
The position taken By the United
States in the note to Germany, protest.
ing against the implied and directly
expressed threats Of the war zone
proclamation of February 4, was such
that by no possibility, it is thought,
can Germany misinterpret the meaning
Of the State Department. The United
States, it was therein stated. could not
look upon the destruction Of American
life, or American property through
enforcement of the war zone decree in
any light but that OF an unfriendly
act.
1t was frankly explained to Germany
that the Staying Of an American would
be an intolerable thing. On this poins
the American note said:
at would be difficult for the govern
ment of the United States TO view the
act in any other light than as an inde-
fensible violation Of neutral rights
which it would be very hard indeed to
reconcile with the friendly relations
now so happily subsisting between the
! two governments.
"If such a deplorsble situation
should arise the imperial German gov
ernment can readily appreciate that the
! government Of the United States would
be constrained to hold the imperial
/ German government to strict ac-
countability for such acts Of their ma
val authorities and to take any steps it
might be necessary TO take TO safe
guard American lives and property and
secure TO American citizens the tull
enjoyment of their acknowledged
rights on the high seas"
Secretary Bryan said to-day that he
expected Ambassador Page, in London.
advices there confirmed reports of Mr..
Thrasher's death, but added that no IN
ouiries had been received by the de-
partment, nor had any been made OF
Mr. Page.
II was suggested in some circles that
the German position would be to place
responsibility for the destruction OF
the Falaba upon her captain, contend
J ipo that his effort 20 escape rendered
his vessel liable 10 attack under the
rules of international law. On tho
I other hand. however. il was said that
while the rules of international law as
heretofore applied permitted the de-
struction Of merchant craft which re-
sisted search by belligerent war ves-
sells, il appeared that the Falaba only
attempted to escape and did not resist.
II was pointed out in official circles
that. according 20 reports, the ships
boats were over her side and her pas
/ sengers and crew attempting 20 leave
( her when the torpedo which destroyed
her was discharged.
London, April The sinking of the
Falaba and the Aguila has aroused
storm of Indignation throughout tho
/ country, and the demand ID being made
/ that the crews of submarines be treat
ed as pirates, if captured.
As the destroyers have been unable
/ to round up the submarines operating
/ on the British coast, ship owners have
petitioned the government 10 be al
3 lowed 20 arm their ships. This has not
/ been permitted heretofore, as steamers
could then be considered ships of war
! and be sunk without notice.