Evening star., 1915-05-04
GULFL|GHT ATTACK
IS SUBJECT TODAY
OF FEMBASSY PROBE

vi LlUUHOUI NUUL
Continued from First Page)
Wilson today continued to reserve his
Judgment on the course the United
States should pursue.
The President said he expected a full
report from Consul Stephens at Ply
mouth, England, as well as from AM
bassador Gerard at Berlin.
Owners of the wrecked vessel FOR
warded kilograms to the State Depart
ment giving practically the same in
formation as was contained In Consul
SINNERS dispatch. Their information
came from different source, and they
added that the company had no knowl-
edge that the Gulf1ight's cargo of gaso-
line was for other than private con-
sumption.
No Representations Made.
When asked concerning the case OF
Leon C. Thrasher, an American drowned
when the British steamer Falaba was
sunk by German submarine, Prest-
dent Wilson revealed that no repre-
sentations have as yet been made to
Germany, but that very probably 1t
would be treated with the other cases
all seemed part OF the war zone cir
cumstances.
Early today the President and Secre-
tary Bryan conferred at length, but 1t
was said they did not discuss any line
of policy in the war zone cases, de-
ferring that until q complete investi-
cation of the Gulflight incident had
been made.
Decision Is Delayed.
Although State Department officials
who have looked into the legal phases of
the matter based on the preliminary re-
ports are convinced that there was no
excuse for the attack on the Gulfight,
Secretary Bryan reiterated his statement
that until the official facts in the case
are in hand no decision would be reached
as to the American governments policy
or its representations to Germany.
The United States. however, probably
will demand ample reparation in case the
inquiry discloses that a German sub
marine made the attack.
Report Of o. s. Consul Stephens.
Two messages were received yester
day from American Consul Stephens a.
Plymouth, Eng, reporting that the
Gulflight was torpedoed of the Scilly
Islands Saturday. and that her captain
died Of heart failure and two member,
of the crew were drowned. The tex
of the later message follows:
"Gulflight towed into Grow sound
Scilly, by British patrol. Torpedo strucl
blum bow. Vessel down by head Free
board forward about two feet, freeholc
full. Cargo apparently undamaged
Blowing gale southwest"
Secretary Bryan directed attention t
the fact that the source of his author
ity was not given by Consul Stephens
and that the messages read as IL h.
were reporting on information he hat
heard rather than facts off1ciall,
learned. Mr.. Bryan said he would ash
for thorough and complete repor
from the American consul, and woule
direct Ambassador Gerard at Berlin tt
make similar inquiry of the German
government for such facts as it NIGH
have on the subject.
Awaiting Definite Statement.
officials were careful not to take TO,
granted the truth of reports that q
German torpedo struck the Gulfiight
Until there is definite proof. no state
ment bearing on the delicate point OF
responsibility was deemed expedient
Should the investigation bear out tn.
dispatches claiming that German
submarine made the attack, the United
States probably will demand an in.
incurred by the ship and compensation
to the families of the victims. 1t II
thought probable that an expression
Of formal regret also will be requested
While the question Of the ght Of
submarines to attack belligeren,
merchantmen without warning OF
time for non -combatants to be trans
ferred to places of safety Is covered IL
the declaration of London, any diplo.
matte action of the United States very
1928 between Prussia and the United
States.
Early in the war the United States
served notice on Germany and other
bellieerents that in view of the piece
meal adoption Of the declaration OF Lon
don by the belligerents the Washing
ton government would not be bound by
the declaration. but by previous exist
ing treaties and rules of international
law.
Already the German government has
taken cognizance Of the treaty of 1928
as binding in the present day, agreeing
to nav for the loss of the American
ship Frye, under that treaty rather
than under the declaration of London.
Cabinet Discusses Case.
The cabinet discussed the sinking OF
the Gulflight this morning, and after
ward members reiterated that the posi-
tion of the United States would not be
fnally determined upon until further
details were received.
Treaty Of 1928 Quoted.
II the attack on the Gulfiight wae
made by a German submarine with OF
without warning. oficials hold tha,
Germany is in the position of having
violated the following article of the
treaty of 1928:
ITO prevent entirely all disorder
and violence, it is stipulated that,
when the vessels Of the neutral
party, sailing without convoy. shall
| be met by any vessels of war, public
or private. of the other party, such
vessel of war shall not send more
than two or three men In their boat
| on board the said neutral vessel to
examine her passports and docu-
| nents. And all persons belonging
to any vessel Of war, public or pri-
| yate, who shall molest or insult in
any manner whatever the people,
| vessels or effects of the other party
shall be responsible in their persons
| and property for damages and in
| terest, sufficient security for which
| of private armed vessels before
they are commissioned"
| While tho seriousness Of the attack
upon tho Gulhight was a matter O,
discussion and speculation in officia
quarters generally today, the belle
was held by high officials that the Ger
man government, II responsible. woult
not seek to justify the act. but woul.
promptly agree to make amends.