New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-27
Leelanaw, from Arch
angel, Torpedoed Off
Coast of Scotland.
U-BOAT TOWED
MEN TO SHORE
Attack Makes Sensation in Lon
don, and Details Are Eager
ly Awaited.
by Cable 10 The Tribune ]

London, July 26.-The American
steamer Leelanaw was torpedoed at |
o'clock Yesterday afternoon. eighty
miles almost due north of Cape Wrath.
The news, coming on the heels of the
American note to Germany, created a
great sensation.
Most people jumped to the conclu-
sion that Americas hand had now been
forced and that the threats contained
in the note must be effected. The de-
tails of the attack. however. are lack
ing. and until they are received officials
will not venture any definite opinion
on the legal merits of the case.
The Leelanaw was bound from Arch
angel to Belfast with cargo OF max.
On the German list fax is contraband'
although not on the British.
Her crew of twenty-nine was saved
and permitted TO board small boats
which were towed by the submarine
to a point ten miles from Eynhollow
Bay. in the Orkneys. There the boats
I were set adrift and the crew rowed
ashore and proceeded TO hlrK"aIl
Here the men reported to the American
( Consul. who notified Consul GeneraI
skinner.
Believe Warning Was Given.
/ In the absence of detailed informa-
! ton. il Is considered that the action OF
the submarine in towing the boats IN
oicates that ample time was probably
! given TO the crew to disembark.
Investigation is now being made as
to precisely what steps were taken by
the Germans in searching the ship and
/ investigating the cargo. According 70
the British view. Germany has not the
right to sink a neutral ship IN such a
manner. II the cargo was less than hall
+ contraband the ship was not llaole 70
destruction under any circumstances.
The view generally taken here Il
that Germany hasn't the slightest IN
tention of abandoning submarine war
fare. even at the risk Of war with
America. 9,
The London evening papers, IN tell
ing of the incident. employ in some
cases suggestive captions, such rs An
. Unfriendlv Act" But because the
American note laid so much stress or
the demand that American lives OF
merchant ships should not be leopard
lied without warning. it was dlmcu!
for the English mind 10 determine
whether the sinking of the ship after
the crew were taken off constituted
what America would regard as a repe
tltion OF acts she insists must cease.
Carried Cotton to Russia.
The steamer left New York on Ma!
II with a cargo of cotton consigned q
Russia by way of Gothenburg. I'M
vessel was detained at Kirkwall Will
inquiries were made as 70 the posi-
bility of getting her cargo TO Russia
AS Sweden forbids the export OF cotton
The ship was released on June 20 Wit
rermission 10 proceed to ArchanGel
where the cotton was discharged and
cargo of fax was loaded for Belfast.
dispatch from Kirkwall TO tn
Central News Agency says that afte
the members of the crew left the Lee
lanaw about a dozen shots were ilret
at the steamer. They failed to SIM
her. however. and she ultimately wa
sent TO the bottom by torpedo.
The members OF the crew were takei
aboard the submarine, the dlspatcl
dds. and were we'll treated. When II
sight of the Orkney Islands the mel
were ordered 10 return TO their boat
and the submarine disappeared
Tomorrow morning the crew OF tn
Ieelaraw will be sent 70 Dundee. wher'
the American Consul will take th'
depositions Of the men.
American officials will make rigi'
investigation.