New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-08

Washington, Sept. Every ef-
fort is being made by President Will
son and Secretary Lansing to see
the Hesperian case in the most
favorable light possible. They are
determined that the five months
labor which preceded the definite as
surance from Germany that ''liners"
would not be illegally torpedoed shall
not be set at naught by the destruc-
tion of the Hesperian, even IL point
has to be strained to preserve
friendly relations with Germany. =.
The administration is on record
as believing in the good faith Of the
German government. IL will go 70
any reasonable lengths TO demon
strate its appreciation of Ger
many's promises, and will guard it.
self carefully from raising any new
issues unless forced TO it by incon-
trovertible testimony.
The State Department received a
dispatch this afternoon from Consul
Frost giving the affidavits of officers
of the Hesperian. Commander
Main and the first and second Of
ficers of the ship testify that from
the fragments of metal that fell
after the explosion it was "indubit-
able" that the Hesperian was struck
By a torpedo. There was "a strong
odor of high explosives" the officers
say. Just after the explosion.
Gun Hardly Visible.
The affidavits further state that
although a 6-inch gun was mounted
on the ship it was painted service
gray. and could not have been easily
visible even at short range, and GER
tainly not through a periscope.
Giving other details of the sink
ing Of the vessel, the officers say
the Hesperian was struck on the
starboard, within six feet of the sur
face. Forty Canadian soldiers and
officers were on board, but all were
invalids; they were not organized,
but travelled as individuals. A war
ship came to give assistance at $3.50
p. M, in response TO wireless calls,
and two other Admiralty vessels at
l0:30 p. M, but the Hesperian was
not under convoy.
Ambassador Page transmitted state
ment from the British Admiralty that
the ship had not been used in military
service since the beginning of the war.
Secretary Lansing said shortly after
the receipt of this message that fur
ther details would have to be awaited
before any opinion could be expressed.
Naval experts say this evidence indi-
Gates strongly that the Hesperisn
struck a mine. The fragments OF metal
may furnish positive proof
A high Official of the administration
intimated to-day that the six-inch gun
on the Hesperian might be held to
justify attack without warning. A
submarine which attempted to warn a
ship which carried such armament
would court destruction, IL was argued.
Any ship could make itself immune
from capture by mounting small calibre
cannon, and this would render sub
marines useless as commerce raiders.
"The introduction OF submarines into
naval warfare" the same Official said.
"leaves the question OF the right 70
carry arms for defensive purposes open
70 consideration. While IL 10 justified
by international law, IL must be borne
in mind that the rule was formulated
at a time when attacks on merchant
men by vessels Of such great vulnsra-
bility as the submarine were un-
heard Of"
This position is the exact reverse OF
that assumed in the nrst Lusitanis
note, which held that II submarines
could not comply with international law
as IL was known and prsctised before
their invention they must cease 20
operate. The latest note 70 Germany
concerning the Lusitania also contained
the following significant statement:
The rights Of ncutrals in time Of
war are based upon principle, not
upon expediency. and the principles
are immutable. IL is the daty and
obligation OF belligerents to ind Q
way to adapt the new circumstances
to them.
Much criticism has been aroused By