Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-02-22
AN INQUIRY

AN INQUIRY
After I conference with President
wilson, Secretary Wilson cabled Am
'assador Page at London and Ambas-
sador Gerard at Berlin TO make an
exhaustive inquiry as to the fact and
if the crew was landed at either Of
their respective jurisdictions to fur
nish every care and convenience 10
Captain Smith and his men so they
mieht return home safely.
Not a War Zone
Although the extent of sea zones OF
war proclaimed by Germany was nev-
er defined exactly, the Borkum islands
are considered far distant from the
danger areas Of submarines, although
the waters of that vicinity are filled
with mines for defensive purposes
through which Germany has always
piloted incoming ships. At the Ger
man embassy tonight, il was pointed
oct that the accident must have been
caused by mine, as Germany, sorely
IN need of cotton. would have no OBJ
ject in torpeGoine a vessel laden with
such i cargo for German consumption
Early press dispatches from Berlin
mine caused somewhat Of a sensation
toll ha ha &
been more or less pronounced over the
situation in the war zones since the
d1spatch Of warning notes by the
United States to both Great Britain
and Germany. It was virtually con-
coded, that, if the cause Of the acct
cent was proved TO be a mine, there
probably would be no ground for dip
lomatic action by the United States
as the Ia wing of mines is not prohib-
tied by any international convention
now in force.
Meaere Detail
American Consul Fees cablegrarn.
forwarded from Bremen through the
American consul general at Rotter-
dam, Holland, gave the state depart
rnent meagre information. II said;
Steamer Evelyn. Captain Smith.
agents Bull & Co, New York, blown
up early Friday at Borkum. Crew
saved Ship and cargo lost
Il was generally taken for granted
before the message arrived that the
vessel was blown up by mine. but
the omission of any mention of cause
introduced an element Of speculation.
significant Of the solicltude which is
felt on every side since the diploma tic
CORRESPONDENCE arose with the bellig
erents over the misuse of neutral flags
and submarine warfare. II had been
virtually decided earlier today by the
Washington government; TO make NO
reply to either the British or Ger
man notes concerning the use Of neu-
trail flags or possible attacks by sub
marines on neutral vessels in the new
Sea zones of war.
Added significance was attached
generally TO this policy, because of the
implication that the strong warnin,
sent to both Great Britain anc Ger
many Nigh. now be followed by a cri-
sis in the relations Of this govern
rnent with the belligerents. if through
their practices American vessels or
lives were lost.
While mines have been laid in bel
ligerent waters since the early days
Of the war, American vessels hereto
fore have not suffered any injury.
Many other neutral craft have been
DESTROYED. but the virtual impossibility
of fixing the blame for accidents Of
that kind has prevented the interested
governments from taking diplomatic
action. When the North sea was first
mined, Some OF the neutral countries
protested to both Great Britain and
Germany. but the United States took
the position that it was impossible 10
determine which country had been the
asgressor and therefore, made no pro-
test, though il does not consider it's
rights in any way compromised by this
silence.
automatically the United States
and neutrals generally are helpless as
far as obtaining redress for the loss
of their ships by contact with mines
is concerned, unless absolute proof
could be adduced to show the nation
atty of the mines. that no pilot was
available or that the mines, drifting
from their anchorage. were far dis
tant from belligerent areas.
Efforts have been made from time to
time to obtain an agreement among
the nations of the world to prohibit
the laying Of mines. England took the
lead in this connection at the second
Hague Conference in 1907 and con-
vention finally was drafted and rati-
fed by the United States and Great
Britain and only a few Of the other
nations, though it never became eff
fective. Under its terms it was forbid
den to lay unanchored automatic con-
tact mines except when so construct
ed as TO become harmless one hour at
most after the person who laid them
ceases to control them
Similarly, it was forbidden to lay
anchored mines which do not become
harmless when breaking loose from
their moorings. The convention also
provided:
1T is forbidden 10 lay automatic
contact mines off the coast and ports
Of an enemy with the sole object Of
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