Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-05-10


boats, but before this could be done, a
second torpedo hit the steamer and she
listed so badly that the crew could
only work the boats on one side Of the
ship.
government were unanimus in their
opinion, shared by the President, that
here is no warrant under law or rea-
son, for the destruction Of an unarmed
merchant ship, even Of an enemy. with
put warning to the passengers at the
time the ship is encountered and trans
ferring non-combatants to a place OF
safety.
NATURALLY Armed"
which came by wireless admitting that
a German submarine had sunk the
Lusitania and pointing out that the big
liner was naturally armed with guns"
was widely commented on by officials.
On the highest authority, it was stated
that as early as last September. when
Count Won Bernstorff, the German am
bassador, called attention to the arrival
in American ports of British liners,
among them the Adriatic with guns
aboard. the question was taken up by
the state department.
Department Ruling
The department ruled that a merchant
vessel could not be classed as a war
ship if she carried guns not larger than
six-inch calbre for defensive purposes,
but nevertheless informal negotiations
were begun Immediately with Great
Britain and an understanding was
reached whereby no British vessels
clearing from American ports would be
armed. 1t is the duty of the port author
tiles in New York. each time ship
asks for clearance to see that no guns
are mounted or unmounted or carried
on belliserent vessels. Dudley Field Ma
lone. collector Of the port OF New York
mas been asked by the Washington gov.
eminent whether the Lusitania carried
any armament and has replied that she
carried out the terms OF the understand.
ing as originally entered into with the
British government and had carried nc
guns.
All absorbing Topic
The tensity OF the situation was hardl,
reflected in the Sunday tranquility O.
executive quarters here, but among dip
lomatists and officials, the all-absorbint
topic Of conversation was the probable
attitude of the United States. Count Vol
Eernstorff, the German ambassador, re
turned to the embassy but declared N
expression would be given without IN
structions from Berlin. He SAID the Ier
man official statement concerning III
disaster made comment from the EN-
bassy unnecessary.
The unofficial Austro-German opinio'
here, however. emphasizes, to JUSTIFY IN
act. the presence Of ammunition on
ma ssenrer ship and argues that the sac
ririce Of passengers was less in the pal
ance than the toll that would have pee
taken by the ammunition had 1t reache'
the Allies.
Ambassador Threatened
During the day, the German ambassa
dor received an anonymous letter warn
ing that the embassy would be blown u
at 132 A. NJ, tomorrow. He turned
over to the police. but paid no seriou
attention to what he regarded as tn
uork of crank.
| All eyes continued to be focused o
the White House, where final decision o
the policy to be pursued by the Unite
| States is to be made. Only the Fres
| dents most intimate advisers know
| the complexities of the problem oe1oi
| him. It not only concerns the attack
the Lustania, with nearly 200 American
| on board, but a series of incidents IND
eating a period of strained relations VII
Germany for many weeks. The Presioei
has watched without open comment, oil
it is known with disapproval. the con
plaints of the German officials with RI
gard to questions Of neutrality and II
| efforts to array German-American sent
| ment against the Washington admins
| tration as the means of urging an en-
| barge on munitions of war against tf
Allies. At first the German governmel
| admitted that there was no violation
international law in the sale by priva1
| individuals of munitions of war. Whe
the German ambassador in memoral
dunn virtually accused the United Stat
government Of not being neutral in Il
| question of permitting shipments OF mi
nitions, the President was amazed.
| The sinking Of the American bal
| William P. Frye, the attack on the Fla
aba which caused the drowning OF {
| American citizen, Leon S. Thresher. Il
wrecking without warning Of the Amer
can tank ship Gulf Light. the droppiI
of bombs on the American steamer Gus
ing and finally the torpedoing Of Il
giant liner Lusitania, constitute seri
of incidents which the President Is tr
ing to interpret He wants to be certa
whether they range themselves in ord
to cause a grave climax of a careful
planned hostility to the United States.
whether the sequence is casual and t
German government desires to contin
friendly relation with the American go
eminent.
/ 70 Tho cornap Government nc nof