The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1915-05-07
SEE DELIBERATE
INSULT To U. S.
Serious Situation Arises Over
Sinking Of GuIfIight.
GERMANY MUST SQUARE ITSELF

Farther Friendship With United
States Is Up to Teutonic Govern
ment-chicagoan Is One of Victims
of Submarine Attack-It Was His
First Trip.
WASHINGTON, D. G.-Greater anx-
ietv exists in Washington over re-
ports of the torpedoing of the Amerl-
can tank ship Gulfight by German
@ .Emarine than has been caused by
any previous event growing out OF
the war. officials are seeking to main
tain noncommittal attitude pending
the receipt of official dispatches es-
tahlishing all the facts, but there is
no concealment of the belief that II
the circumstances prove to be as now
understood a very serious issue will
have been raised between the United
States and Germany and one which
may have far reaching effect on the
relations of the two nations.
Brief reports already have been re-
ceived at the state department from
the consulate at Plymouth, England,
which make it clear that Consul Ste
phens has information that the Gulf
light was torpedoed by German
submarine, that the captain and two
Of the crew lost their lives as q re
suit and the damaged vessel has been
towed to the Sicily islands by the
British These reports leave much to
be desired as to circumstances which
must be known positively before the
full effect Of the incident interna,
tionally can be foreseen. Secretary
Bryan has called on the department
representatives both in England and
Germany to forward at once all facts
obtainab1e in the case.
Believe U. S. Affront Deliberate.
1t was strongly indicated here that
officials find it difficult to view the
sinking of the Gulfight by itself. In
stead of being considered as an iso-
lated case it is regarded as more the
eliminating incident in a series, each
successfully manifesting, if not q de
Iberate intent to affrOnt the United.
States, at least an alarming disre-
gard of American rights and the re-
spect due the American government.
The action which the administration
will be Obliged to take in the Gulf
light case, unless subsequent devel-
opments very materially alter the
present understanding of it, will at
least be likely to clear the air and
make it clear whether Or not the Ger
man government is disposed deliber-
ately to irritate the United States.
Further Friendship Up to Germany.
That it will be for Germany herself
to decide whether the friendly rela-
lions between the two governments
shall continue uninterrupted or not,
was the very positive statement made
here. 1t was pointed out that the
facts in the Gulfight case, as they
have been developed thus far, leave
the United States no choice of action
but necessitate the calling of Ger
many to account for the attack by her
armed forces upon the American flag.
If Germany chooses to be disagree
able in replying to the United States
demands for PREPARATION it will be i'm
possible to foretelI what the effect
may be on the relations between the
two nations. On the other hand, If
Germany should apologize for the act
of her naval commander and offer
money reparatiOn the incident prob
quences. 1t is admitted in official
quarters that much will depend as
regards the situation between the
United States and Germany on public
opinion in the United States. The adj
ministration viii follow rather than
lead public opinion in the matter and
the degree of popular resentment will
to a large extent decide how far the
administration will go in the matter.
Chicagoan GuIflight Victim.
NEW YORK = A Chicago man
Charles c. Short of 7OS West One
Hundred and Third street-was one
Of the Americans who lost their lives
when the American steamer Outright
was torpedoed off the Scilly islands.
He was wireless operator of the ship.
The others killed were Captain Gun
ter of Bayonne, n. J., who died of
heart disease, and Eugene Chapaneta
of Port Arthur, Tex.
Short was taken aboard the Gulf
light at New Orleans April Z. This
was his first trip on the vessel. He
and Chapaneta are believed TO have
been the men reported to have jumped
from the ship after she was torpedoec
and who were lost because of the fog
that prevailed.