Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-04
AWAITING DETAILS
IN GULFL|GHT CASE
Government Defers Diplomatic
Representations as Well as
Pronouncement of Policy.
BRYAN ASKS FOR REPORT
Belief Held That Germany, If
Responsible, Will Promptly
Make Amends.

WASHINGTON. May 3.-Pending an
official investigation of the circum-
stancsc OF the wrecking OF the Amer
lean steamer Gulflight in the English
Channel tho United States will defer
diplomatic representations. as well as
any pronouncement OF policy.
Messages were received to-day from
American Consul Stephens. at Ply
mouth. England, reporting the Gulf
light was torpedoed off the Scilly Is
lands on Saturday, and that her cap
tain died OF heart failure, and that
two sailors were drowned. The texts
Of the messages follow:
american tank steamer Gulfight
torpedoed off Scilly Islands 1st inst.
Captain died. heart failure. Body
landed. Two of crew drowned, thir-
ty-four saved Vessel af1oat. patrol
boats attempting tow her into Scilly."
Gulfisht towed In Grow Sound.
Torpedo struck bluff bow. Freeboard
forward about two feet, fore-hold full.
Cargo apparently undamaged. Blow
Ing gale southeast"
Secretary Bryan said he would ask
for thorough and complete report
from the consul. and would direct Am
bassador Gerard, at Berlin. to make
some inquiry of the German govern
mcnt for such facts as II might have
MAKES NO PREDICTIONS
UNTIL FACTS ARE KNOWN
The secretary announced he did not
wish to make any predictions as to the
American governments policy until all
the facts were in hand
Officials were careful not to take
for granted the truth of reports that
German torpedo struck the Gulhight
Should the investigation bear out dis
patches. claiming that a German sub
marine made the attack, the United
States probably will demand in in
demnity sufficient to cover the losses
Incurred by the ship. and compensa-
tion TO the families Of the victims
1t Is though probable that an express
sion of formal regret also will be re-
Quested. Any diplomatic action of the
United States probably will he based
on the treaty of 1925, provisions Of
which the German government has
taken cognizance of. having agreed to
pay for the loss of the American ship
Frye under it.
While the seriousness of the attack
upon the Guliight was a matter of
discussion in official quarters general
ly to-day, general belief was held by
high officials that the German govern
ment IL responsible would not seek to
justify the act, but promptly make
amends. 1t was pointed out that until
there is proof OF any deliberate inten-
ton on the part of the German sub
marine commanders to attack American
vessels, the experience OF the Gulfight
must be regarded as an accident,
though one for which ample reparation
would be demanded.
INVESTIGATION OF LAW
PERTAINING TO CASE
President Wilson communicated with
Secretary Bryan and State Department
officials, who Immediately began an in
vestigation of laws pertaining to the
case. Their unanimous opinion was
that from reports thus far received,
there was no excuse for the attack.
for, even II the vessel could be ac-
cused OF carrying contraband, she
should have been visited and searched
and her crew transferred to a place
Of safety before the cargo could be
confiscated.
Secretary Bryan tonight laid before
President Wilson preliminary consular
reports telling of the torpedoing of
the Gulflight. Following his confer
ence with the President he reiterated
his statement that no policy in tf3e mat
ter would be decided on until moro COM
plete information was received.