Evening star., 1915-02-22
EVELYND|SASTER
IS TO Be PROBED
BYNAVAL ATTACHE


asmuch as there is now no interna-
tional convention in force prohibiting
the laying of mines either for often
sive or defensive purposes. In the
Russo Japanese war the Japanese
strewed mines across the harbor and
entrance to Port Arthur, which was
held by the Russians.
Similarly the Japanese laid mines IN
Vladivostok waters across Peter the
Great bay for a distance of forty miles
While the laying of mines in onensiNe
operations. such as the recent German
note proclaimed. has not been acquesced
in as a belligerent right, il is believed
In official quarters that this and other
precedents would make it difficult for
the United States to make further dip
lomatic protest.
The Evelyn is the first ship insured
with the United States bureau of war
risk insurance to be lost since 1t be-
gan operations several months ago.
ing to more than s55.000.0 900 has been
written.
First Loss of q. S. Insurance Bureau.
The bureau was closed today. and no
word had been received as to when a
claim from the owners may be expect
ed. There is little doubt that legal
proof of the destruction of the ship
and cargo will result in prompt pay
ment of the insurance. OF the total
amount of insurance written by the
bureau more than half has expired with
the arrival of ships and cargoes at
destinations.
The bureau has earned in premiums
more than 100000, SO that it is able to
stand its first loss without resort to
the appropriation made by Congress.
Consul Fees Announcement.
Although the extent of sea zones Of
war proclaimed by Germany was never
defined exactly, the Borkum Islands
where Counsel Fee reported the Evelyn
was blown up" are considered far dis
tant from the danger areas of subma-
rines, although the waters of the vicinity
are filled with mines for defensive pur-
poses through which Germany has al
ways piloted incoming ships. AT the
Germany embassy 1t was pointed ou,
that the accident must have been caused
by mine. as Germany. sorely in need
| of cotton. would have no object in tor
pedoing vessel laden with such a cargo
for German consumption.
Press dispatches from Berlin an.
nouncing the loss of the vessel by q
| mine caused somewhat of a sensation
in this capital, where the tension ha.
situation in the war zones since the
| dispatch of warning notes by the
United States to both Great Britain
and Germany.
American Consul Fees cablegram
forwarded from Bremen through the
American consul general at Rotterdam
| Holland. gave the State Department
| meager information. 1t said:
steamer Evelyn. Capt. Smith. agent.
| Bull & Company. New York. blown UT
early Friday at Borkum. Crew saved
Ship and cargo lost"
1t was generally taken for granted
| before the message arrived that the
| vessel was blown up by a mine, bu'
the omission of any mention of cause
| introduced an element of speculation
| significant of the solicitude which i.
| felt on every side since the diplomatic
| correspondence arose with the belliger.
| ents over the misuse of neutral flag.
| and submarine warfare.
1t had been practically decided by thu
Washington government to make M
reply to either the British or the Ger
| man note concerning the use of neu
trail ensigns or possible attacks by sub
marines on neutral vessels in the new
sea zones of war.
Added significance was attached gen.
orally to this policy, because of the
implication that the strong warning
sent to both Great Britain and Ger
many might now be followed by a cri-
sis in the relations of this government
with the beligerents II through their
practices American vessels or lives
| were lost.
rr-.k.J cx.A.z H.I~ NJ D,&4>.k