The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1915-12-30
SINKING OF LINER
FIRES Jap ANGER
Attack on Shipping May Lead
NipponeSe Kingdom to Take
More Active Part In
Great War.

Washington. Dec. 2S.--American Con-
sui Bristow at Port Said, cabIed today
that no warning was given the Japan
csc liner Yasaka Maru before she WAS
torpedoed and sunk in the Mediter-
ranean last Tuesday by a submarine
err, he added. made no attempt to es-
cape.
The consuIs dispatch, which came
in response to Secretary Lansings call
for reports on the disaster. was the
first official information on the incl
dent, which probably will be the sub
1ect of further diplomatic correspon-
dence with the Teutonic powers.
Today's report said the submarine
was not seen until after the liner had
been torpedoed and that then only her
periscope was visible. The general as
sumption is that the submarine must
have been German or Austrian.
The Yasaka Maru case is generally
regarded by officials and diplomats
here as surrounded with wide poasibil-
tiles. 1t has been suggested that Japan
might answer the challenge to her ship
ping by wide participation In the
war even to the extent OF taking part
in the operations in Europe.
As Germany has already given as
surances that her submarine command
ers were under instructions not to at
tack liners without warning, there was
disposition to believe the attacking
boat was an Austrian. If that assump-
ton proves true, 1t is feared the situ-
alton over the sinking of the Italian
liner Ancona will be further complicat-
ed, and the diplomatic correspondence
with Austria will be broadened to take
In the general subject OF attack with
out warning, as it did in the last OF
the negotiations with Germany.
Unofficial reports of favorable reply
by the Vienna foreign office to the last
Ancona note have not served to alter
the attitude OF the state department in
the Ancona case.
Toxic, Dec. 27.-Detailed advices re-
ceived here today from Port Said con-
corning the sinking Of the Yasalka
Maru corroborate previous statements
that the steamship was torpedoed with
out warning. 1t is said she was at
tackled at 2:35 p. m. by a submarine
whose presence had not been observed
No flag was visible.
Shortly after the torpedo was dis
charged, two periscopes. one long and
within 400 feet Of the steamship. They
moved to position off the stern on
the starboard side, the advices relate.
as though ready to discharge a sec
ond torpedo If necessary.
After the Yasaka Maru sank a con-
HlIlS Ic"eT "d5 VlSlDl6 IOT a Dr1ef time
at q point about a mile away.
The reports describe the manner in
which all on board the steamship en-
tered the boats safely, this having been
accomplished within 10 minutes of the
time the torpedo was discharged. The
CAPTAIN caused the boats to be tied to-
gether. Sails We're hoisted and in &C
cordance with a plan arranged pre-
by wireless, a southeastern
course was taken. This was held un-
til midnight when the French gunboat
which rescued the passengers and crew
was met,
During the evening the periscope Of
the submarine reappared, only a few
yards from the boats, but the sub
marine itself was not visible. The pas
Rengers praised the captain and crew
for their GOODNESS and discipline. There
was no sign OF panic throughout the
long ordeal.
According to a statement made to the
diet by the finance minister there was
on board the Yasaka Maru gold to the
value Of 100000 yen ($5O0.OO0).