Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-09-07
Secretary Lansing Says the
Evidence Is Not ConcIu-
sive in Case.
CONTINUED from First Page.)

States has insisted on the freedom Of
the safety of their lives. as we'll as the
warning Of passenger ships before at
tack. To the latter principle Germany
has recently assented. and as 1t is
established that the Hesperian was a
passenger liner. the fact that there
were some wounded and invalid SOL
diers on the liner would not alter the
situation II 1t were found after all
that a German submarine had torpe-
doed her. Likewise, it was pointed out
leans on the liner were members Of tho
crew (stewards) and not passengers,
does not affect the situation.
II there were Americans on board, no
lives were endangered II a German sub
marine tg eventually found to have at
tackled the liner without warning.
There was some discussion again to-
day Of what bearing on the case there
might be II 1t is found that there was a
At gun on the stern of the Hesperian,
as reported by Mr.. Frost, although
denied by the Allan line, owners of the
ship. 1t was admitted at the State De-
partment today that the United States
agreement, made at the beginning Of the
war, that a merchantmen which places
on her stern for defense purposes a
gun, which Is of less than six-inch
caliber is not to be regarded as an
armed vessel.
Stern Position for Defense.
The position of such CUR Con the
stern) assumes the fact that 1t is for
defense purposes. as the vessel would
not attack from it's rear. 1t was
thought yesterday that such an agree
ment might affect the case of the Hes
pefian. If 1t is found that she was at
tackled by a submarine. but 1t was
pointed out at the State Department to-
day that that agreement was made be-
fore the question OF submarine warfare
became acute.
To-day. however. 1t was said there is
strong possibility that the United
States may change its attitude toward
what constitutes arming a merchant
vessel, and in the light Of the develop
ment OF submarine warfare may hold
that the mounting of small defense
guns only. heretofore considered as not
arming a ship. may. be considered
armament, which will remove the yes
sci from the non-combatant class
State Department officials gave
strong Indications of this today, and
stated that when the United States at
the beginning Of the war declared that
Of small caliber would be permitted to
enter and leave American ports and
would not be classed as war vessels.
submarine warfare had not developed
to its present stage
Oficials pointed out that 4.7-inch
gun, such as is reported to have been
mounted on the Hesperian. Is Of sui.
flcient size to sink a submarine. Proof
Of this fact, officials think. might be
construed as purpose to challenge the
It was pointed out In tho same con-
nection that the British ship Waimana,
mounting a small gun. has been held
up for some time at Newport News
while the State Department has been
deciding her status.
Obtain Afadavits.
The oflcial disposition as to the Hes
perian, however. notwithstanding the
speculation that is going on, is to give
full opportunity for receipt OF official
reports from both German and British
seurces. 1t was said today that Am
bassador Gerard at Berlin has not yet
been asked for any information. nor
has he been instructed to ask the Ber-
lin foreign ONCE for any. United
States consular officers In England.
however. are in the meanwhile gath
erine statements from the two surviv-
ing stewards of United States citizen
ship. as we'll as passengers OF other
nationalities.
that news dispatches will In all likeli-
hood bring something within few
hours from the British admiralty bear
ing on tho question of how the Hes
psricn came to be injured. and whether
a. not 1t was torpedo from Ger
man submarine which sunk her.
Position Of United States. .
tn. present position OF the United
States is to take no steps to question the
good faith Of Germany's recent assurances
unless it is shown clearly that the sink
Ing Of the Hesperian was in violation of
them. This view was made clear by a
high oficisl, who. explained that President
Wilaou and Secretary lansing accepted
the assurances Of tho German govern
r.sut at their face value. and are reluctant
to belivs that the Hesperian was sunk de-
liberateiy without valid excuse
They will not believe the ship was