New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-17
NO U-BOATS
NEAR SCENE
All Commanders Not
Heard From, but Berlin
Confident of Result.
NO WORD ON ARABIC
Bernstorff Still Without Answer,
but Sure of Full
DisavOWal.
lFrom The Trbdns Bureau ]

lfrom The Tribune Bufcau
Washington, Sept. l6.-The German
governments explanation that the Allal
liner Hesperian was not sunk by
German submarine, but struck host-
ing mine, was received at the State De-
partment to-day. Indications are that
this, unless some new evidence turns
up in the meantime, will be accepted
by Secretary Lansing and the incident
considered closed. The note does not
differ from the summaries cabled from
Berlin.
Germany reports that no submarines
so far reported were near the scene OF
the disaster at the time. Some have
not yet been heard from. but the, Ger
man records indicate that none was
responsible. From the fact that
the boat was hit in the bow, that thu
forward compartments filled before the
explosion came up through the decks.
the German government believes c
mine was responsible.
At the State Department II is not
believed that the present evidence
warrants a protest There is moth.
ing to show that . torpedo struck
the Hesperian except the testimony
Of the vessels officers that fragments
of one fell on deck So far as Secre-
tary Lansing knows the pieces were
lost with the Hesperian, and no more
evidence is procurable.
II was apparent to-day that the fae'
that the German government has Leve-
vet failed to acknowledge the torpedo
ing of a ship had impressed the tate
Department and that, consequently, ITS
word on this point could not be ques-
toned
IL was also recalled that in the case
of the Nebraskan, when a similar DOUBT
arose Berlin came forward with an
acknowledgment before this govern
mont made a protest Pieces OF the '
missile which struck the Nebraskan
we're sent here and the Navy Depart
ment reported that they were un-
doubtedly from torpedo, although
Arabic Case Still Foremost.
With the Hesperian case now out Oh
the way there remain only the htaoie
and Orduna cases. OF course, we bus'-
tania problem is still unsettled, but tne
chief concern Of President Wuson anu
Secretary Lansing now centres arogh
the Arabic and Orduna cases, especIai.
II
Germany's good faith Is involved III
both.
For sone undiselosed reason It's er-
nlanation OF the attempted torpedoinS
~ the Orduna has not been made pup
lie Whether its suppression Is for tho
purpose Of holding back ,ndigna,loi
In official circles, however, IL was
said that il was the plan OF the admin
;stration 10 settle the Arabic case nrst'
because il involved the question OF tnP
continuance OF the undersea warfare
ord tho future relations betw en- Ger
many and this country. .,
In other words, President wilson has
risked all on an Arabic solution. IL
Ceermany disavows the act OF It's COM
mander and makes public a DEFINITE
ond clear statement Of sts Instructors
10 its submarine officers the whole
question will be cleared up. and the
susnicion that Count Won Bernstorn's
memorandum was merely scrap OF
paper" dissipated.
II on the other hand, the German
government refuses 10 comply with
these demands, there is no alternative
hut To recall Ambassador Gerard and
4 rtg 70
storfF because OF this, officials here
saw IL would be futile TO take up the
Orduna case at this time. as IL directly
narallels the Arabic. The German con-
tention of "self-defenee" in the Arabic
case is not the least bit more hImsy
than that given in the Orduna case.
Orduna Note Not Disclosed.
Whether the German government
has justified the 0rduna attack as u
did the Arabic has not yet been dis
closed. Il is believed, however, that
the grounds are the same and that
consequently there is no necessity Tor
taking it up separately at this time.
II was said at the State Department
today that no word had been received
/ from the German Ambassador relative
10 his success in convincing his For
eign Office that a strong modincation
Of the Arabic note must be gwen.
Germany must frankly say thst sns
no longer proposes 10 murder amer,
can citizens or diplomatic relations VIII
be severed. There must be no more
aSif,v or eyasive notes from Germany.
This This Is the opinion Of officials high In
the administration, and so far as the
neonle themselves are concerned
Washington is hearing from them In