Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-05-27
SAW NOTHING, SAYS
u. s. LINERS CAPTAIN

Continued from Page One
before the explosion. Captain Greene re-
ported. His message, cabled by Consul
General Skinner. read:
Greene, master of the American
steamship Nebraskan. in wireless ad-
dressed to me via Lands End, reports:
" 'Nebraskan passed Fastnet Rock
Tuesday. 4:30 o. n from Liverpool,
bound for Delaware Breakwater In ball
last AT 1924 p. M, when steamship was
about 4s miles west one-half south from
Fastnet, she experienced n violent shock,
followed Instantly by a terrible explosion,
bursting her hatches and throwing hatch
beams, cargo, derrlcks and twisted iron
into the air and filling lower hold for
ward completely with water
The crew Immediately took to the
boats. After standing by the ship for
one hour they returned on board, and at
1890 p. m. started for Liverpool. About
l25 n. m. we met two vessels sent by the
British Admiralty in answer to our wire
less call. One has been in attendance
ever since. 1t was dusk when explosion
occurred. Flag had been hauled down
five minutes before.
Name was painted on both sides OF
ship in letters six feet tall. Had no warn
ing and saw nothing
Ambassador Page cabled
British Admiralty has report from
Queenstown that Nebraskan is now on
her, way to Liverpool under her own
steam and escorted Am sending naval
attache to Liverpool to examine ship,
which 1t now appears was outward bound
from Liverpool to Delaware Breakwater
when torpedoed."
Consul Frost, at Queenstown, reported:
American steamer Nebraskan struck
mine or torpedoed at o'clock evening of
25th, 20 miles south OF Fastnet. Crew re-
turned to vessel at midnight, finding fore
hold full of water. Now proceeding to
Liverpool under own steam; admiralty
patrol as convoy"
CAPTAIN HAS NO THEORY.
The State Department is deeply i'm
pressed with the fact that Captain
Greene offers no theory as to the cause
of the injury to his vessel and that he
does not suggest that the name of the
vessel painted on her side was clearly
discernible at distance In the dusk.
This is construed as indicating a doubt in
the mind of the captain as to whether his
ship was deliberately torpedoed.
If 1t should develop that the Nebraskan
flying the flag of the United States, was
torpedoed by a German submarine, the
present tense relations between this coun-
try and Germany will be aggravated.
Despite the fortunate fact that no Ameri-
can lives were lost, If II be shown that
n deliberate attempt was made to sink
the ship, 1t will be difficult for this Gov
vernment to condone in any way the
attack.
Realizing the extreme seriousness of
the situation, the President has decided
there will be no jumping at conclusions;
the Admiralty's claim that Germans at
tackled the ship will not be accepted
without proof.
Officials admit that IL the Nebraskan
was torpedoed by a German submarine
In the night and without warning, the act
was fragrant breach of neutrality to-
ward the United States. Coming with the
Gulfight, Cushing, Falaba. Lustania,
and incidents still unexplained, 1t was
an assault upon national honor that no
ordinary apology can satisfy.
The President Is handling the case per-
All reports from the State De-
partment's representatives aboard are
sent direct to his study Copies go to the
other responsible officials BY the Presi-
dents order there Is to be no discussion
of intended action until all facts are
known.
German Embassy officials fatty declare
they do not believe that German sub
marine was in any way responsible for
the Nebraskan's disaster
They say German submarine command
ers are equipped with complete silhou-
cite drawings of all American merchant
vessels trading with the other side, and
insist that at this time of year it would
have been very easy for a submarine, ly-
ing low in the water, to have recognized
the Nebraskan.
In addition, they declare that as the
steamship was proceeding in ballast.
very high out of the water, and headed
for the United States, there would have
been no object in sinking her