The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1915-02-25
WASHINGTON IS
RATHER UNEASY
Officials Learn Of Sinking Of
American Vessel.
BRYAN IS AWAITING DETAILS
to Have Been a Mine It Is Practical.
Ground for Diplomatic Action.

Washington, Feb. 22.-The United
States government was advised Off
Ter cargo of cotton, bound for Bre
men, had been "blown up at Borkum,"
just off the coast of Germany. The
cause-submarine or mine-was not
given in the dispatch.
Although the extent of the sea zone
of war proclaimed by Germany never
was defined exactly the Borkum isl
ands are considered far distant from
the danger areas of submarines, al
though the waters of that vicinity are
filled with mines for defensive pur-
poses, through which Germany al
ways has piloted incoming ships.
At the German embassy it was
pointed out the accident must have
been caused by mine, because Ger.
have no object in torpedoing vessel
laden with such cargo for German
consumption.
Press dispatches from Berlin an
nouncing the loss of the vessel by a.
mine caused a sensation in this CAPT.
tai, where the tension has been more
Or less pronounced over the situation
in the war zone since the dispatch OF
warning notes by the United States
to both Great Britain and Germany.
Cannot Stop Mine Laying.
It practically was conceded that if
the cause Of the accident was proved
to be mine there probably would
be no ground for diplomatic action by
the United States, as the laying Of
mines is not prohibited by any inter-
national convention now in force.
1t was generally taken for granted
before American Consul Fees mes.
sage arrived that the vessel was
blown up by mine but the omission
OF any mention of cause introduced
an element of speculation.
Ii practically had been decided by
the Washington government to make
10 reply either to the British or Ger
man notes concerning the use of neu-
tral ensigns, or possible attacks by
submarines Oil neutral vessels in the
new sea zone of war.
Added significance was attached
generally to this policy because of the
implication that the strong warning
sent to both Great Britain and Ger
many might now be followed by ;.
crisis in the relations of the govern
ment with the belligerents if, through
their practices. American vessels or
lives We're lost
First American Ship Lost.
While mines have been laid in bel
li2erent waters since the early days
OF the war American vessels hereto
fore have not suffered any injury,
Many other neutral craft have been
destroyed. but the physical impossi
bility for the fixing of blame for acct
dents has prevented the interested
governments from taking diplomatic
action.
When the North sea was mined
some of the neutral countries pro
tested to both Germany and Great
Britain, but the United States took
the position that it was impossible to
determine which country had been
the aggressor and therefore made nc
protest though it does not consider
its right in amy way compromised by
this silence.
automatically the United States
and neutrals generally are helpless
in SO far as receiving redress for the
loss of their ships through contact
With mines, unless proof, a rare occur
renee, could be adduced to show the
nationality OF the mines, that no pilot
was available or that the mines, drift
ing from their anchorage, were sar
distant from belligerent areas.