The Washington times., 1915-09-07

There Is serious doubt whether the
circumstances under which the Allan
liner Hesperian was sunk on Saturday
night Will ever become known. unless
$ the German government volunteers to
clear away the uncertainty.
Although officials have not Laid aside
their feeling of anxiety. it does not seem
likely that a crisis in relations between
the United states and Germanw will be
reached.
Consul Frost. at Queenstown. sent "a
cable to the state Department today on
the Hesperian case. Ambassador Page
also sent one. But neither disposed Of
the important point whether the vessel
was torpedoed without, warning.
The American Government Will Sc
cure the affidavits of persons on board
and will send an inquiry to Ambassa-
dor Gerard as to whether the German
government has any report from a sub
4, marine commander.
, Consul Frost's cable said that the Hes
perian went down yesterday morning
at Sal. He says there was no further
loss of life. The Allan line officials
, passengers on board two American
, stewards. Francis j. Dullas. of Buffalo.
and Barney Mcmillan, of Grand Rapids.
" were below when the torpedo struck.
lIOuOtS lhAl lHc <AlIdh liHcI I1cS-
perian was torpedoed grew today. The
theory that the vessel was blown up
BY mine gained strength.
? Consul Frost's cable that there Is
much question on the point Is deemed
, deeply significant
. From the Arse. officials have consid-
; cred 1t almost impossible. after the un-
= qualified assurances given 20 Secretary
: of State Lansing, that German sub
marines were torpedoing passenger-car-
Fv1nV ShirS without warming
: Moreover the hesperian was outside
the recognized submarine warfare zone
4, Experts recalled thot there were many
such catastrophes from mines follow.
Q ing .he Russo-.lapanese war. The be.
a., lief grew that this was such another.
3 Ambassador Page canled that the Brit
. ish admiralty states the Hesperian wai
, sailing as an ordinary passenger liner
service since the war opened. No troop:
. were on board but some wounded ant
invalided soldiers were travelling on In
. dividual tickets.
Il, from Consul Frost show that the Hes
perian had Il gun mounted on the stern
= This. however, would not make the YES
, sci an armed liner in the view Of the
American Government.
So far as Secretary Of State Lansing
6 has indicated, there is no purpose tc
. change front on the poin' that a me-
chant ship can carry suns ior ou- e!'
defensive purposes.
The Administration TODAY aw"irs 'e
. rorts from three nourcas regarding rh'
8 slnkine of the Ana 'ioer HeaDrcia n
In the meantime / $ suspendinS juds
menI.
. from German sourees came int.ma
lions that the Berlin foreign office
after being further advised. woule
send some communication regarding
the Hesperian. An official Statement
from the British admiralty is also ex
pected. An additional Independent. re
port. based upon Investigations o
American authorities in England, ].
also sought from Ambassador Page a
London.
Tension among officials is somewha
diminished by increased doubt whether
the Hesperian was the victim of
German subma rine or a torpedo. state
Department officials admitted that tn,
statement of American Consul Frost
at Queenstown. that she was tor
pedoed" was based upon preliminar!
and most meaGcr evidence.
Until these doubts arc determined, al
high officials are relying upon the un
qualified promise Of Germany to war;
d liners before submarine attacks ar,
made.
There are intimations that German!
may pursue the course she took in tn,
Arabic case. by sending formal or in
formal assurances through AmbassadO
Bernstorff repudiating the sinking Of tn,
Hesperian without warning. If it shoul,
develop that a submarine caused tn
new catastrophe.
Failure of the Hesperian'S captain o
any passenger to report having seen
torpedo Is commented on today as mos
significant.
So far there is no indica ton from Ad
ministration sources that the Govern
ment intends asking Germany for al
explanation Of the Hesperian inciden
until the facts regarding the attack ar
more clearly developed.
Ambassador Page advised the Stat
Department that American consular of
fees and embassy attaches. inclIdin
Naval Attache Mcbride. are securin
afndaVits from both American an
English survivors Of the Hesncrian