The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-02-22
Naval Attache Gherardi at
Berlin Told to Investi-
gate Loss of Evelyn
REPORTS DECLARE
MERELY SHE WAS LOST
No Details Given Whether
Sunk by Submarine
or by Mine

! w a5HlARNO IL VI II GU ~h1CtlGthA1 y
of the Navy Daniels to-day ordered Com
mander Walter r. Gherardi, the Ameri-
can naval attache at Berlin, to inyesti-
gate and make full report on the de-
struction of the American steamer Ev
elyn. So far the official adyices have
merely reported the sinking of the yes-
sci and her cargo but gave no details.
Secretary Daniels explained his pun
pose in directing the inquiry after the
state department had called upon the
ambassador at London and Berlin for a
report was to secure technical informa-
ton II was stated at the navy depart
ment that it probably would be diff
cult to secure exact information OF what
actually destroyed the Evelyn unless the
members OF the crew saw the coming
tower or periscope OF the submarine.
Officials say it would be impossible to
deny that the Evelyn struck mine.
The government was officially advised
OF the destruction of the Evelyn last
night. American Consul Fee at Brem-
en- cabled that that steamer had been
blown up at Borkum," just off the
coast of Germany but that the crew had
been saved. The cause submarine or
mine was not given in the dispatch.
After a conference with President viii.
son, Secretary Bryan cabled Ambassador
Gerard at Berlin to make an exhaustive
inquiry as to the facts, and if the crew
was landed at either of their respective
Jurisdictions to furnish every care and
convenience TO Captain Smith and his
men so that they might return home
safely.
While the extent of the sea zones of
war proclaimed by Germany was never
defined exactly, the BorlSum islands are
considered far distant from the danger
areas of submarines, although the waters
OF the vicinity are filed with mines for
defensive purposes through which Ger
MANY always has piloted incoming ships
At the German embassy il was pointed
out that the accident must have been
caused by q mine as Germany, sorely
in need of cotton, would have no object
in torpedoing a vessel laden with such
cargo for German consumption.
Early press dispatches from Berlin an
Bouncing the loss of the vessel by a
mine caused somewhat of sensation in
this capital, where the tension has been
more or less pronounced over the situa-
tion in the war zone since the dispatch
Of warning notes by the United States
to both Great Britain and Germany II
was virtually conceded that II the cause
OF the accident was proved to be mine. 1
there probably would be no ground for I
action by the United States, I
as the laying Of mines is not prohibited /
by any international convention now in /
force.
American Consul Fees cablegram. for.
warded from Bremen through the Ameri- |
can consul-general az Rotterdam, Hol- /
land, gave the state department meagro 4
II said:
STEAMER Evelyn, Captain Smith,
agents Bull & Co, New York. blown up
early Friday at Borkum. Crew saved.
Ship and cargo lost"
II was generally taken for granted be-
fore the message arrived that the YES
sci was blown up by a mine, but the
omission Of any mention Of cause intro
duced an element of speculation. sig
nifcant OF the solcitude which j. felt 4
on every side since the diplomatic cor
respondence arose with the bcllgerents
over the misuse Of neutral flags and sub.
marine warfare.
II had been virtually decided earlier
Yesterday bv the Washington govern.
mcnt % make no reply 10 either the
British or the German notes concerning
TIE use Of neutral ensigns or possible at
iacks hy submarine on neutral vessels In
ihc new sea zones ~ war.