Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-07-01

Washington July 1.-The Leyland
line steamship Armenian was engaged
on OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES" when she was
sunk by a 4erman submarine off the
Cornwall coast OF England two DAYS
ago with the loss Of a score of Ameri-
can lives Ambassador Page at Lon
don reported to the state department
today he had been so informed by Brit
ish admiralty officials.
Consul Armstrong at Bristol who
sent first word of the destruction of
the steamer yesterday. reported to
Ambassador Page today that p of the
90 men lost with the Armenian were
Americans. He gave no additional
names, although previous lists includ-
ed only 20 Americans
Carried No Passengers.
The ambassadors dispatch gave no |
additional details on which the state /
department could base consideration |
OF the case. He said that as the Ar |
IaeHian carried no passengers. pre-i
sumably all Americans who persisted
were members of the crew. /
It was pointed out here, however, /
that Americans seeking cheap trans /
portation frequently travel on such
ships as passengers, although they are
signed on the ships roll as me- -'~ers of /
the crew
Await Further Re.
The department expected Il -
patches from Ambassador Page and
Consul Armstrong giving reports of
Survivors to show whether the ship
was duly warned by the German sub
marine commander and those aboard
her given an opportunity to escape.
Officials OF the steamship company
have stated that the Armenian was not
under charter to the British admiralty
bat was sailing merely as a merchant
man carrying contraband.
Al the White house it was stated that
President Wilson was in constant
touch from Cornish. ~ H., and that no
steps would be taken until the COM
plete reports had been received The
President probably would not hasten
ms return 70 Washington, 1t was said.
Take Ne Immediate Action.
Secretary Lansing announced today
that Until nore complete reports had
been received from Ambassador Page
at London on the torpedoing of the
British liner Armenian in which sew
eral Americans lost their lives Mon
day, the United States would take no
action s
Latest dispatches from Avonmouth
detailing how the Armenian made ef- |
forts to escape after being ordered to
stop, caused officials to believe the
sinking Of the vessel was accomplish
ed in accordance with international
law and that the United States might
have no reason 10 take up the subject
with Germany. except II. verify 4
through the admiralty at Berlin the
details OF the Armenian's reported re-
sistance
Offlciais are Relieved.
Under the rules OF international
law 1t was pointed out that the Ar t
menian, which flew the British flag, n
az well as any neutral vessel, could d
oe sunk for refusing TO obey a warn p
ing to halt aud submit to visit and il
search or capture Americans aboard d
such ship lose protection OF their Il
government when the vessel offers re- c
sistanoe. p
There was relaxation of tension In
emcial quarters. The report that the
German commander had come TO the
surface and megaphoned the Armen- Il
ian was regarded by many officials as Il
indicating an intention to visit and d
search even enemy ships. a principle al
Tor which the United States has been u
II was suggested in some ei
qaarters that the German submarine n
commanders now may haye new or it
ders requiring them nqk 10 torpedo any
SHIPS without warnfakANo eases have In
oeen reported of fttack without warn .
ing in the last feF weeks. |ol
Details fof Attack. is
washington. d Il i.--ofncials Of the II