Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-07-18
ATTACK ON ORDUNA
MAY AFFECT NOTE
Diplomatic Issue Likely to Be
CoIored by Latest Sea
Episode.
FlRMER TONE IS DEEMED
THE PROBABLE OUTCOME
In Absence of Official Report, Sec.
retary Lansing Refuses to Com,
ment on Affair.

menC on dUalI.
Attack without warning by German
submarine on the British steamer Ordu-
ma, by which the lives of more than a
score of American passengers were i'm
periled, has complicated still futher the
already tangled and strained relations
between the United States and Germany.
resulting from the torpedoing of the
Iusitania and the loss of about 115
American lives.
The fact that a merchant ship, bound
for the United States with Americans
aboard without arms or ammunition or
contraband cargo (Which has been the
reason assigned as provocation for for
mer submarine attacks) and while its
passengers were asleep had been as
sailed. is taken by officials as best evil
= dence that Germany has not. as many
have been trying to believe, changed her
policy regarding submarine activities.
Although the Orduna escaped unin-
jured, this. in the view of officials. does
not relieve the case of grave possibili-
ties.
Adds a Grave Element.
SnOuiQ reports Oh an attempt u
torpedo without warning be borne out by
the official investigation about to be in
stituted, it was indicated in official quar-
ters that the United States probably
would regard the incident as adding a
grave element to the already strained
relations between the two countries.
Lacking information as to the circum-
stances of the attack. officials were un-
able 10 predict last night to what extent
the Orduna case would aggravate the
situation, but they thought the question
would certainly compel serious consid-
GRAFTON by President Wilson and his cab
met. in formulating the next step in the
policy of the United States toward the
activities Of German submarines and the
safety of Americans on the high seas.
Question of Warning.
One point on which the entire case. so
far as the United States is concerned may
hinge is whether any attempt was made
TO halt the Orduna by the customary
warning signals. either by flags, mega
phone or shots across the bow of the
, vessel.
As yet the case is not officially before
the State Department; but as soon aS.
some Of the american passengers file their
statements OF what took place. the Ques-
ton undoubtedly will be brought immedi-
Ately to the attention Of the German gov
ernment for a report from its submarine
commander on the circumstances Of the
attack.
The case is believed to be different from
that Of the Anglo-Californian and the
Armenian. which were ordered to halt.
but repeatedly attempted to escape cap
ture. According to, the rules of inter-
national law. even though neutrals are on
board. the use Of force is held to be justi-
ned to compel submission.
officers Ordnn2
have stated that no warning or signal
had been given when the torpedo was
seen streaking through the water. OFF,
cials here thought. therefore. that any
attempt made by the Orduna to escape
was probably justified. Her subsequent
actions, they believed. could be upheld in
the interest Of self-defense.
Warfare Not Abandoned.
Irrespective Of whether or not a signal
was given to the Orduna to halt, or
whether the shots fired by the Germans
came without warning. the view which
impressed officials last night was that
German submarines had not abandoned
their attempts to destroy enemy pas
senger vessels, whether carrying contra
band or not, and that American citizens
seemed still to be subject to hazards from
which under previously accepted rules of
International law they should be i'm
mune.
Secretary Lansing last night said he
would have no announcement to make
on the case until ii was brought to his
attention in some official way by Ameri-
cans who were passengers on the ship.
IT is believed likely that the British
embassy will submit the statement of
the Orduna's captain for the informa-
tion of the American government.
In off1cial quarters news of the at
tack on the Orduna came as a shock.
for il had been confidently believed as
result of the informal expressions of
Count Won Bernstorm. the German am
. Berlin concerning the care being ex-
ercised by German submarines, that
Americans on board passenger vessels.
at least. would be safe from attack
The incident increased the general un-
easiness which has been felt since the
last German note failed to give the
assurances asked for by the United
States.
Nay Urge Stronger Note.
The belief was general that when
President Wilson laid the entire situa-
tion before the cabinet Tuesday there
would be insistence by many cabinet
officers for a much firmer and more en-
phatic pronouncement of the intentions
of the United States than might other
wise have been the case but for reports
Of the attack on the Orduna.
The conviction had become widespread
that the negotiations could continue II
the situation were not aggravated by
further violations of American rights
This =" az based largely on the absence
of any cases of attack without warn
Ing in several weeks.
rhe only important case of attack
without warning that has occurred
since the Lusttania was sunk is that of
the American steamer Nebraskan, also
bound for the United States and with
out cargo Germany has EXPRESSED re-
grets FOR that occurrence and agreed to
pay damages. but IL was pointed out
last night that the United States took
tn. position in its first note after the
sinking Of the Lusitania that express
sions of regret and offers of repara-
tion do not lessen the dangers to
American citizens on the high seas un-
less followed by discontinuance of
the practice complained Of
Although Secretary Lansing, after an
exchange of letters with President
Wilson. has practically finished the
draft Of a note which will be dis
cussed by the cabinet next TUESDAY. IL
was considered possible that some
reference might be made to the case
of the Orduna az tangible evidence of
Germany's failure to refrain from at
tacks without warning on merchant
men carrying Americans. On the other
hand officials may decide to await a
rapport from Ambassador Gerard as to
the German governments version of
(coatinued on Second Pase-J -