The sun., 1915-05-27
WASHINGTON AMAZED.
Capital Not Ready to believe Ger
mans Attacked u. y. ship.

mana Attacked U. y. ship.
WASHINGTON. May 2s.--The announce.
nent OF the British Admiralty that the
American steamship Nebraskan was
torpedoed yesterday off the Irish coast
caused stir here to-day second only
TO the shock felt when the news OF the
Lusitana sinking was received.
In view OF the circumstances Of the
case officials find 1t very difficult to be-
1eve that the Nebraskan was tor
pedoed and are snxiously awaiting the
arrival OF the ship In port to learn
what statement her captain and officers
have to make about the case. The
press reports that the captain of the
Nebrsskan sent a message saying he
had struck torpedo or a mine were
noted here and consequently officials
are trying to suspend judgment until
complete reports are received. II is be-
lieved that more detailed information
will be available tomorrow
should II develop that there is sufn-
cient evidence to stablish the Ad-
mlralty report that the Nebraskan. was
torpedoed the incident will be extremely
ttflOus, hlfnOst DeyOnC
measure the already delicate situation
existing between the Germsn and United
States Governments on the question of
the German submarine operations.
serious Possibilities.
That is why the opinion here inclines
20 the belief that the Nebrsskan struck
q mine. II Is regarded as inconceivable
that the Germans would attack an
American vessel outbound from ENGLAND
and therefore net carrying contraband,
just at the moment when the Berlin
Government, Is preparing re.iv DID,. the
American note regarding previous at
tacks on American life and the Ameri-
can flag.
1t has been the understanding here
that the German policy was to take
every possible precaution not to create
further complications at present by
submarine attack on an American vessel
or British vessel with American pas
sengers. Certainly the Berlin Govern
ment was so urged to conduct submarine
operations in the dispatches sent by the
German Embassy here.
Ii Is held that only an intention to
precipitste a break with the United
States could explain German sub
marine attack on the Sebraskan, for the
circumstances of the case make IL quite
the most fiagrant offence yet committed,
90 far as disregard OF law is concerned
The only possible explanation seen
here to-day for the torpedoine of the
Nebraskan-if that proves to be the fact
lis that II was mistake on the part OF
the submarine commander. II Is not be-
lieved here that a submarine commander
could easily have made such a mistake,
but 1t is admitted as a possibility. The
explosion occurred at about o'clock in
the evening. which at this season In
those waters is the time Of twilight con-
seouently the Nebraskan must have been
plainly visible. Also the submarine COM
nTander could hardly have failed to no
tice that her course was away from and
not toward England.
Too Deep for Mine Fields.
But II officials find II difficult TO be-
lieve that the Nebraskan was torpedoed.
they also find It Is not easy To accept
the mine theory. The sea area where
the Nebraskan was struck is the main
fairway OF British commerce and never
has been mined by the British: in fact,
the waters OF this area are too deep for
mine fields. 1t Is not conside reason
able that the British would strew float
ing mines in the pathways of their own
commerce. and furthermore, the British
have declared that they were not using
floating mines.
Nothing has been heard for months of
the Germans sewing floating mines in
these waters. Floating mines are sup
posed. II used at all. to be OF such
character that they become harmless
within twenty-four hours after their re-
lease Anchored mines are also sup
posed TO become harmless as soon as
they break away from their moorings
The Nebraskan was due TO arrive at
Norfolk. Va. not later than June :. to