Evening journal., 1915-05-26
Washington Is Shocked Over
Torpedoing of Nebraskan;
Explanation Is Demanded
Rr LOHN EDWIN NEYIN

BY JOHN EDWIN NENlN
United Press Stan Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, May 26.-The ad-
ministration here was distinctly
shocked today by news of the torpedo
ing of the American steamship Ne
braskan in the European war zone.
The incident not only suggested
that Germany had not ceased submar-
inc warfare, but caused especial COM
ment in that il involved an attack on
a craft flying the American flag and
on its way to a home port, so there
could have been no suspician that It
was carrying contraband.
President Wilson and Secretary
Bryan received the news with obvious
concern. There was noticeable relief
when word came that no lives were
lost and the Nebraskan escaped being
sent TO the bottom. Until a complete
report was received. il was said there
would be no further representations
to Germany. Rush orders were sent
to Ambassador Page and Consul Cen
eral Skinner, in London, however, TO
cable all available Information and
the fact that they we're told to use
the cable instead of waiting for the
mails, was taken as indicating that no
time would be lost in demanding a
German disavowal of the attack and
reparation.
The suggestion was of course made
that there was a chance the vessel hit
mine instead of being torpedoed. A
cable from Skinner did. indeed, say
unqualifiedly that a torpedo did the
work but Skinner based this state
ment on an announcement by the
British Admiralty All news dis
patches spoke so positively of a tor
| pedo, however, that il was the gen
eral opinion the mine theory would
not hold good.
From Skinner account 1t appeared
/ that the Nebraskan's crew took to the
boats, but later returned to the
| steamer.
The fact that the vessel was tor
/ pedoed while homeward bound was
o great surprise. II was pointed out
that heretofore most westward bound
steamers have been unmolested by
submarines and just why the Ne
braskan was attacked, officials coulC
not guess.
There was no doubt in official circle
here that Germany would disaVow TIA
action Of her submarine commander, p
in her note TO the United States dealin
with submarine warfare she pledge
herself to respect international Law
which meant officials declared. that n
neutral ship would be sunk without bein
boarded. searched and proved to be car
rying contraband. In the case of th
United States. too, il was recalled tina
Germany agreed to observe the provis
ions of the early treaty with Prussis
which provided that even though a
American vessel did not carry contra
band. it would be detained and not dc
stroyed.
Disavowal in this case. however ]
was understood. will not satisfy tn
United States. Every effort wa
being made by officials to soft pedal
comment, but il was evident that tn
tOrpedoing of the American ship wa
looked on as a wanton act. She wa
} en- route from Liverpool for the Dels
ware Breakwater and entitled to
b safe passage. was flying the America
: flag and was manned by an America
2 crew. so that the attack was 2 fal
- rant violation Of American sovereignt
2 in the opinion of the government
. legal experts.
2 As a result OF the Nebraskan cas-
it was thought quite possible III
e United States will ask Ambassadc
, Gerard. at Berlin. to do what he ca
. to expediate the German reply
President Wilson's submarine warfal
note
. Today's happening was held to prov
. conclusively that American vessels al
!. not safe under the existing Germa
= regulations and that the United state
was declared unwilling to mold I'll
h bag" while submarine commanders al
n afioat with orders to sink shippin
d within the so-called war zone. withol
]. regard to nationality, destination {
cargo.