New-York tribune., 1915-02-22
WASHINGTON WAITS
FOR PARTICULARS
Continued from page 1

nounced as dangerous for shipping by
the German government. II proper
notification had been issued the re-
sponsibilty, it is thought. would rest
On the owners of the vessel. This
would be particularly true of Germany,
as England already has in her own
harbor entrances guaranteed safe con-
duct and pilotage to incoming ships,
and the Evelyn had not availed herself
of this privilege.
On the other hand, if proper notif-
cation had not been issued the respon-
sibllity would lie with Germany, and
compensation for the loss of the ves-
sci and her cargo might be sought from
the imperial government.
The British warning of October 2
regarding danger areas in the North
Sea, which has been repeatedly re-
ferred TO in the last few weeks as
indicating that Great Britain was en-
gagged in mine operations and the
creation of mine fields in the North
Sea, declared that certain areas had
been mined by the British, and offered
to pilot neutral ships through these
areas. Great Britain explained in her
notification that il was dangerous to
cross the area between latitude 81 de-
gIees Is minutes north and 81 degrees
40 minutes north and longitude de-
gree SO minutes east and degrees
east" The Friesland group is both
east and north of the northeasterly
limits of the British danger zone.
In the British warning mention was
also made of the German mine area.
1t said:
ain this connection II must be re-
membered that the southern limit OF
the German mine field Is latitude b2
degrees north"
Secretary Daniels tonight cabled In.
structions to Captain Gherardi, United
States naval attache at Berlin, to In
vestigste and report forthwith on the
Evelyn's wreck.
At the German Embassy tonight II
was pointed out that the accident must
have been caused by a mine, as Ger
many, sorely In need Of cotton, would
have no object in torpedoing a vessel
laden with such a cargo for German
consumption. II was practically con-
ceded that il the cause of the accident
was proved TO be mine there prob
ably would be no ground for diplo-
matte action by the United States, as
the laying of mines is not prohibited
by any international convention now in
force.
American Consul Fees cablegrsm,
forwarded from Bremen through the
American Consul General at Rotter-
dam, Holland, gave the State Depart
ment meagre information. 1t said:
Steamer Evelyn, Captain Smith,
agents Bull & Co, New York. blown up
early Friday at Borkum. Crew saved.
Ship and cargo lost"
Ii had been practically decided ear
lier to-day by the Washington gov
eminent TO make no reply 10 either the
British or German note concerning the
use of mines or possible attacks by
submarines OH neutral vessels in the
new seq zones Of war.
While mines have been laid In bellig-
erent waters since the early days OF
the war. American vessels heretofore
have not suffered any injury. Many
other neutral craft have been destroyed,
but the practical impossibility Of FIX
ing the blame for accidents of that
kind has prevented the interested gov
ernments from taking diplomatic ac
ton. When the North Sea was first
mined, some Of the neutral countries
protested 10 both Germany and Great
Britain, but the United States took the
position that il was impossible 10 de-
termine which country had been the
aggressor, and therefore made no pro-
test, though il does not consider its
rights in any way compromised by this
silence.
Diplomatically the United States and
neutrals generally are helpless so far
as obtaining redress for the loss OF
their ships by contact with mines is
concerned, unless absolute proof, q rare
occurrence, could be addueed TO show
the nationality Of the mines, that no
pilot was available or that the mines,
drifting from their anchorage, were
far distant from belligerent areas.
T1ox.. IT,. h.a, made from time To