The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-01
THRASHER CASE
PUTS WARNING
OF US. TO TEST
state Department Ascer-
tains Victim of Submarine
Was American.
ACTION WATTS ON
OFFICIAL REPORT

wAsnlNGToS. March 3i.--1he re-
ported death OF Leon G.. Thrasher. AN
American citizen. rs the result OF the de-
,ruction Of the British ship Falaba by
a German torpedo is viewed gravely in
official quarters here because OF the seri-
Gus possibilities involved.
The state Department has not yet re-
ceiyed an official report on the case, but
Ambassador Page IL giving his attention
10 il aud will forward all the facts. Be
cause Of the gravity OF the issue raised
By this first AmeScan death resulting
from the German submarine programme
officials to-day refused to make any
comment on the case for publication in
advance OF official information
II has been realized ever since the
despatch Of the communication to the
German Government notifying 1t that
The United states would hold II to n
strict accountability for the acts OF its
naval authorities that this Government
vas practically committed to serious ac-
ton in the event OF such a case arising
as was indicated In the American note
Cured falling within the purview OF the
American note.
Careful Inquiry to he Wade.
!, was made plain to-day. however.
tina; the state Department will move
I.lihArati,n al a.,
the Thrasher case. No effort will be
spared to obtain every fact having "A
bearing on the case. particularly with
reference TO the circumstances under
which the Falaba was sent to the bottom
md more than 100 persons. including
Thrasher, lost their lives.
The first question about which IL was
thought there might he some doubt.
Thrasher's citizenship. has been an
swered Investigation at the state De-
partment to-day showed that Thrssher
obtained a passport June |. 1911, giving
his residence as Hardwick. Worcester
county. Mass. Carl Barnes. also OF
Hardwick, Endorsed his application. This
passport has since been renewed in
London Ii is not doubted in the face
u this evidence that Thrashers citizen
ship can he established beyond question.
Therefore IL is regarded as extremely
probable that the case eventually will
have 20 be taken up with the German
government. officials here are of the
opinion that a strong case can be pre-
sen,ed so far as the law in the matter
IS concerned.
The point of law which will be made
tie chief basis Of the American case II
that the Germans were under obligation
10 put all the passengers and crew OF the
Fa!sha in place Of safety before sink
irg her. This, according to reports from
Berlin they decidedly did not do. II is
held that Thrasher was exercising his
undspur-d rights In boarding the
Faiaba IN England to 90 to Africa. and
taat the German warning to neutrals
not TO take passage on sh!ps cannot be
accepted by this Government as having
any bearing on this case. 1t Is pre-
slmed tina, the German defence when
toe case is taken up VIII be that
Tnrdsher took chances when he became
passenger on the Falaba.
Did II appear that the Falaba was an
s-med ship or that she mad otherwise re-
sisted the visit and search" OF the Ger
man naval commander there would be
deposition here to concede that the
Faltba exposed herself TO drastic treat
men' Sucn does not appear to be the
TACT. The Falaba was brought to a
sdndSull and does not appear To have
ocen armed or otherwise have resisted
the commands Of the German naval
officer II is held here that the fact
that she speeded up and tried to run
away from the submarine when IL was
Hsl sighted does not constitute resist
dne" to the German exercise of their
rlgNt OF visit and search. As the facts
nave been reported thus far the German
commander himself acknowledged his
90 CATION to save the lives of the
Falaot's passengers and crew by giving
them a warning to get off the ship That
ne tOrpcdoed her before this operation
was Completed 10 regarded here as in
consistent with his first action and as
wholly indefensible
IN" possibilities in this case are re-
sarled the more seriously here because
~ VIVA IS reported to be the attitude Of
"eTmdny toward such questions and
particularly toward Americans. I'm
ON '!ri advlcos have indicated that anti
Am"ricarlsm is growing. and that there
an Increased spirit OF recklessness
winch Will probably secure popular sup
por' for most drastic and ruthless OPP
eaton, ON the part OF the German sub
marines regardless OF the rights and
interests Of neutrsls.