Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-05-04
SINKING OF THE GULFLlGHT
Washington Government Gives Matter
CAREFUL Consideration.

Washington Government Gives Matter
Careful Consideration.
Pending an official investigation aft
er the circumstances Of the wrecklne
of the American steamer Outright N
the English channel, the United States
will defer diplomatic representations
as we'll as any pronouncement OF pol
icy. =
Two messages were received IN
Washington yesterday from American
Consul Stephens, at Plymouth, Eng
land, representing the Gulfiight was
torpedoed off the Scilly islands Satur-
day, that her captain died Of heart
failure and two sailors were drowned.
The text, of the messages follow:
american tank steamer Gulfight
torpedoei off Scilly islands first in
slant. Captain died heart failure.
Body landed. Two Of crew drowned,
"a saved. Vessel af1oat, patrol boats
attempting tow her into Scilly.
"Gulfiight towed into Crow sound,
Scilly, by British patrol. Torpedo
struck bluff bow. Vessel down by
head. Freeboard forward about two
feet, fore hold full. Cargo apparently
undamaged.
Blowing gale southeast"
secretary Bryan Stlu hS "ouio o~oFN
for a thorough and complete report
from the consul and would direct Am
bassador Gerard at Berlin to make
similar inquiry of the German gov
ernment for such facts as it might
have.
The secretary said he did not wish
to make any predictions as to the
American governments policy until all
the facts were in hand.
Officials were careful not to take for
granted the truth Of reports that a
German torpedo struck the Gulfiight
Should investigation bear out dis
patches claiming that a German sub
marine made the attack, the United
States probably will demand an in
demnity sufficient to cover the losses
incurred by the ship and compensa
ton to the families Of the victims. II
is thought probable that an expression
Of formal regret will be requested
Any diplomatic action Of the United
States probably will be based on the
treaty of 1928 with Prussia Of which
the German government has taken
cognizance as binding in the present
day, having agreed to pay for the loss
of the American ship Frye under it.
While the seriousness of the attack
upon the Gulflight was q matter OF
discussion and speculation in official
quarters generally today belief was
held by high officials that the German
government If responsible would moi
seek to justify the act, but would
promptly agree to make amends. II
| was pointed out that until there Is
| proof of any deliberate intention on
| the part of the German submarine
| commanders to attack American yes.
sells the experience of the Gulfiight
must be regarded as an accident
though one for which ample repara.
| tion would be demanded.
President Wilson communicated
| with Secretary Bryan and state de.
partment officials who Immediately
began an investigation Of law pertain
| ing to the case. Their unanimous
| opinion was that from reports thus
| far received there was no excuse fol
| the attack, for even If the vessel could
| be accused Of carrying contraband
she should have been visited anG
searched and her crew transferred tc
a place of safety before the cargo
could be confiscated.
Secretary Bryan tonight laid before
President Wilson preliminary consu.
lar reports telling Of the torpedoing Of
the Gulfiight. Following his confer.
| ence with the president he reiterated
| his statement that no policy in the
| matter would be decided on unit
more complete information was re-
| ceived.