Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-05-27

Dor went in the direction Of me steamer.
which put about and was lost TO sight.
Several residents Of Crookhaven went
along the shore. keeping a sharp look
out They sighted a submarine off Gal
ley Cove. one Of the men on shore fired
two shots with a rifle at the men in
the coming tower of the submarine. The
submarine dived Immediately.
Wssht-~ta1 g. NoncommittaI.
WASHINGTON. May 26-Coming close
on the Lustania disaster, the news that
another American ship had been en-
dangered aroused more than ordinary
attention, but all officials we're disposed
to hear details before making comment
Some officials could not understand why
a ship bound for the United States in bal
last and therefore carrying no contra
band should have been endangered by
a torpedo and they considered it among
the possibilities that the Nebraskan
struck a drifting mine.
Secretary Bryan said the State depart
ments information was much too meager
to permit the forming of an opinion. He
said a full report with details of the at
tack was expected soon.
The damage to the Nebraskan recalled
at once in official quarters the German
governments assurances presented by
Count Bernstorff to Secretary Bryan on
MAY II that submarine commanders had
been specifically instructed not to harm
neutral vessels not engaged in hostile
acts and that Germany would pay for
any damage to such ships in the war
zone.
The imperial German government"
said the communication, has no intention
of causing to be attacked by submarines
or aircraft such neutral ships Of com
merce i'm the zone of naval warfare, or
definitely described in the notice of the
German admiralty staff on February 4.
last. as have been guilty of no hostile
act. On the contrary, most definite in
structions repeatedly have been issued
to German war vessels TO avoid attacks
on such ships under all circumstances.
Even when such ships have contraband
Of war on board they are dealt with by
submarines solely according to the rule
Of international law applying to prize
warfare
status of Nebraskan.
The status OF the Nebraskan under in
ternational law, brought out variety OF
discussion today when news was received
that the vessel was chartered to the
White Star line. Whether sunk by a
mine or a torpedo. a claim for damages
might raise complicated questions II was
said. II the Nebraskan was in the serv-
Ice OF q British concern, according to
previous discussion I'm such cases 1t
would be a lawful prize liable to seizure
and condemnation. Chief Justice Chase
has held that neutral Vessala enRaRed IN
belligerent trade or service. become i'm
pressed with a belligerent character"
The Nebraskan was on its way home to
fulfill contract of its owners with the
United States navy department TO carry
coal from Newport News to San Fran
cisco. The agents were to have the Ne
braskan in Hampton Roads June 8. 1t
was not under charter to the navy but
was 10 carry the coal as freight
The official and news dispatches on
the Nebraskan were communicated to
President Wilson. but no comment was
forthcoming from the White House II
was indicated that a full Investigation
would be made as promptly as possible.
The fact that Americans were aboard
the Nebraskan would require. under the
position taken by the United States, that
the vessel be given due warning and its
crew removed to a place of safety before
destruction.