Omaha daily bee., 1915-05-04
BRYAN WILL ASK
BERLIN FOR DATA
ON SHIP SINKING
Secretary Announces Germany VIII
Be Requested to Supply Facts
About TorpedOing Of
Gulfhght,
OFFICIAL REPORT Is RECEIVED
Vessel Has Been Towed Into Crow
Sound, Scilly, by a Brit
ish Patrol.
CARGO SEEMINGLY UNDAMAGED

WASHINGTON, May 3.-Secretary
Bryan announced late today that he
would instruct Ambassador Gerard to
INQUIRE of the German government
for the facts in connection with the
torpedoing OF the American ship,
Gulflight, by a German submarine.
Consul Stevens sent another mes
sage late today, as follows:
"GuIflight,towed into Crow sound,
Scilly. by British patrol. Torpedo
struck bow. Vessel down by head.
head. Freeboard forward. about two
feet forehold full. Cargo apparently
undamaged. Blowing gale from east. !"
First official Report.
The first officila report OF the tor
pedoingof the America tanker, Gulf
light, reached the State department
in an undated dispatch from Consul
Stephens at Plymouth, England, say
ing the attack was made Saturday,
but the vessel was still afloat and
that patrol boats we're attempting to
tow her the Scilly Islands.
Consul stephens message follows:
American tank steamer Gulflight
torpedoed of Scilly Islands first in
slant. Captain died heart. failure,
body landed. Two of crew drowned,
thirty-four saved. Vessel afloat; pa
troll boats attempting. to tow 1t to
sciIIy.',- ~
VIII Reserve Judgment.
President Wilson will reserve Judgment
on the torpedoing of the American
steamer, GuIfight, until fun official de-
tails are received The president inquired
about the incident when he arrived from
wYlnamstown. Mass.. today. but was told
that so far as White House offlciels
knew. no official word has come
ON the face Of the news dispatches
officials admit that the attack on the
snip Is a serious matter. but they, in
tend that vary thorough investigation
shsll be made and that no hasty action
shcsld be taken.
Iaenfssx OF Three Victims.
- NEW YORK. May 1s--The two Ameri-
cans. in addition TO Captain Gunter, who
lost their lives when the American
steamer Guiflight was torpedoed Oft the
sciIIy islands were Charles C. Short OF
Chicago. the wireless operator. and Eu-
gene Champaneta OF Port Arthur. Texs.
seaman, according to a cablegram re-
ceived here today by the Gulf Refining
company, owners of the vessel.
The message. brief one, was signed
by First officer Raith Smith. 1t said
that Captain Alfred Gunter. whose home
is In Bayonne. N. j.. died of heart dis
ease, and that Short and chapaneta were
lost It is believed that thsse were the
two men reported yesterday to have
jumped overheard.
short was taken aboard the Glflight al
New orleans April T. This was his first
trip aboard the vessel. Chapaneta shipped
at Port Arthur Including is officers
the GuIflight had thirty-eight mer
aboard. most of them haiiins from Gull
OF Mexico ports. SLIP and cargo. ac'
oording to James kennedy. marine super
intaudent of the company. were valued
at 100000.
Mr.. Kennedy said he was waiting fur
ther advices before communicating will
the State department. A claim for TN,
loss sustained. including damages for th'
lives lost. undoubtedly will be filed with
the State department. he thought,
The Golflight's cargo. Mr.. Kenned,
said. consisted of gasoline and oil. con
signed to firms in France and not 10 th'
French government.
Captain Gunter, whose death from
heart failure was reported, was So year
Continued on Page Two. Column Five.