New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-02
ADMITSU-BOAT
SANK MARINA
Germany. Claims She
Was TranspOrt-Win
Pay if Wrong
From The Tribune Bureau J

Washington, Dec. 1.-The German
government. in communication dellv-
cred to the State Department to-day
admits that the British steamer Ma
rina. on which six Americans lost their
lives. was sunk deliberately by Ger
man submarine. The act is defended
however, on the ground that the vessel
was an armed transport"
Ambassador Won Bernstorff saw Sec
retary Lansing and asked for further
information concerning the circum-
stances of the attack. He told the
Secretary that his government wouIa
apologize, make reparation and punish
the commander of the submarine If II
was found that the Marina was in TACT
a peaceful merchantmen.
Secretary Lansing then conferred
with President Wilson. II was decided
that no action would be taken by this
government until the question whether
the Marina was a private vessel or
belligerent transport had been settled
Pledge Apparently Broken
Though admitting that the act seems
to be a violation of Germany's pledges
to the United States, officials indicated
to-day that no action would be taken
until President Wilson had heard from
the American people. There is
growing belief in Administration quar-
ters that the attitude Of the people
toward submarine warfare has changed
since the Sussex ultimatum was sent,
and that popular sentiment would not
support a break with Germany over
what might be considered a tech
nicalD violation of Germany's promises.
Il was said on the highest Admins
tration authority that while the plea
that the Marina was armed" would
not for a moment be considered, there
was room for argument as TO whether
the vessel was actually a transport.
The Marina was under charter to the
British government TO carry horses
and ammunition, though she was on
her return trip when attacked.
Was a Private Ship
Heretofore the State Department has
insisted that a mere charter did not
affect a vessels status, and, in fact, the
Marina was permitted to clear from an
American port on her outgoing trip as
a private ship. But it was admitted
to-day that as a result of Germany's
plea the general question what is a
merchant ship?" probably would be
opened for discussion with the German
government.
II such a discussion is opened, there
is hardly the remotest possibility, oti-
Gals agree, that a rupture in relations
will result. 1t may. however. clear up
a question which the State Department
has been able to avoid up to this time
and which has been regarded by diplo-
mats as a source of possible misun-
derstanding between Germany and the
United States.
The request for further information
is regarded by the State Department
as made in good faith. Apparently, an
official said, Germany has the main
facts and has made a fair attempt TO
interpret them. This was not true in
the case of the Sussex, in which Ger
many first denied, then half admitted
ard finally owned and apologized for
the attack.
Made Definite Threat
A point that is bothering officials,
however, is that President Wilson in
his Sussex ultimatum distinctly warned
Germany that in future all submarine
attacks must be conducted according TO
the rule of visit and search. Only by
ascertaining the status OF vessel
through examination OF its papers, he
said, could mistakes" be avoided, and
the United States would break off rela-
tions if any more mistakes were COM
mtted.
The Marina was sunk without warn
Continued on page 9, column 5