The Washington times., 1915-05-28
Captain Green's Report
Only Adds to Mystery
Surrounding Nebraskan

The preliminary report of Captain
Green to the American naval attache at
London, giving his story of the external
explosion which damaged the freighter
Nebraskan, has reached the State De-
partment.
1t emphasizes the captains earlier
statement that he had no definite knowl-
edge of what caused the explosion. He
leans to the belief that 1t was a torped . :
but he says neither he nor his crew saw
any evidence of submarines at any time.
While this report adds to, rather than
explains the mystery of the attack Of
ficials here will take no action until n
complete report is received from Naval
Constructor Mcbride. who was TODAY
making a complete survey of the dam
ages to the Nebraskan. 1t is admitted
that he may be able to fix responsibility,
although naval experts here on the hc-
ton of explosives say that unless there
are remnants of the torpedo, If one was
used. in the flooded holds, his task will
be without reward.
Report Not Due.
1t was not expected that Naval Con-
structor McBride's report would be
available before the first Of next week
The Nebraskan has been ordered dry
docked for repairs, and until the water
Is out of her hold a complete examina-
ton will be impossible. Meanwhile Of
ficials here will maintain their atti-
tude of sileneA
- The fact that the German ambassador
yesterday told the State Department
that German mines are so constructed
as to become harmless If they break
from their moorings: was generally ac-
cepted as indicating that the German
government intended to combat any
claim that it was German subma rine
that injured the Nebraskan.
Meanwhile, officials are becoming q
trlf1e anxious over the delay in the ar
rival of the German note on the I.usi-
tania. Gulfight, Falaba, and Cushing
cases. 1t had been explained to AM
nassador Gerard that a delay would be
necessary because of the Italian crisis.
but now that that has been passed, Of.
hcials here believe Germany should com
piete the note. There has been no in
dication in the last few messages re-
ceiVed from Ambassador Gerard as to
When he expects the reply, and the
German embassy here Processes to be
In absolute ignorance of what Is tram
spring in Berlin.
Conference Resumed.
The trade advisers of the United
States and Sir Richard Crawford, rep
resenting the British embassy. today
resumed their conferences on the de-
tained cotton cargoes in British ports
The British foreign office last night in
formed the representatives of the cot
ton shippers now in London that Il is
willing to pay for seventeen cargoes
that it already has taken over. Ad-
Users Rose and Fleming today were
engaged in furnishing the embassy here
with certified copies of all proofs of
ownership filed with them that dealt
With cotton cargoes now held abroad.
The British government having
now officially informed the State De-
partment that hereafter all confer
ences between the trade representa-
tives or the two governments shall
be recognized as strictly unofficial 1t
has nullifed in it's entirely the note
issued by the British foreign office
On March Il in which the blame for
the delay was placed on the United
states. This action has cleared the
air so far as the two governments
are concerned on the questions of
seized cargCes now in British ports.
1t also leaves the way open for
another attack on the British order
in council which so seriously hamp-
ers American trade with neutral Eu-
rOptan ratiOnS