The sun., 1916-12-20
COLUMBIAN SUNK
FOR HOSTILE ACTION
German Reply She Wirelessed
News Of U-BOat's LOca-
ton to Enemy.
CONTRABAND ON BOARD
Submarines Commander al
First Let the Vessel Have
Her Liberty.

BERLIN. by wireless, Dec. 19.-The
German Governments answer to the
inquiry of the United States In regard
to the sinking OF the American steam
ship Columbian by a German submarine
has been handed to Joseph G. Grew. the
American Charge d'Afaires. The note
states, according to the Overseas News
Agency, that ut the time the incident
occurred II was impossible on account
Of the weather. to see for a distance OF
three nautical miles. The wind and sea
we're rather high.
AFTER a warning shot and the setting
OF the signal Send your papers on
board the Columbian set the signal
4 cannot discern your nag" the note
continues. This nsw seemed to be
Justified on account of the relative posi-
ton of the ships and the direction or
the wind, which directed the flying flag
toward the steamer. The submarine
therefore approached under the water
and through Its periscope made a closer
inspection OF the steamship. which had
stopped. The submarine then emerged
near the steamer
while the submarine was proceeding
under water II was observed that the
steamer carried the American flag and
bore the name Columbian. New York.
and also had wireless apparatus. Judg-
ing from her course the steamer had
come from an English or French port.
On account OF the empty wooden boxes
on the deck she seemed to hav landed
horses. which are absolutely contraband
of war.
SiGna1led q Dismissal.
"On account of the difficulty OF having
boats come to the submarine for the
purpose OF making an investigation the
commander Of the submarine gave up
his intention OF inspecting her papers
and signalled to the steamer, you are
dismissed. and. running above water.
left the steamer. Thereupon the steamer
resumed her former course
"A short time afterward IL was re-
ported to the commander of the subma-
rine by his wireless station that since
the submarine had emerged wireless
messages sent by the American steamer
had been read. which In addition TO the
signal OF distress. the = q =, also con-
tanned In plain English reports regarding
the submarine such as. for instance, "A
submarine IN cruising around u.s. and
the position OF the submarine at the mo-
ment.
These wireless messages prompted
%he commander to return and stop the
steamer "a second time. Although the
wind and weather had become still
heavier he succeeded In again sighting
and coming up with the Columbian and
reaching al understanding with her
by signals that her wireless apparatus
was to be used with diminished inten-
sity. only for intercourse with the sub.
marine.
THE submarine then, together with
the Columbian and the Norwegian
steamer BALTIC, which had been stopped
previously ana had a prize crew put on
board. travelled in "a westward direc-
ton during the night. and in the morn
ing during better weather the COM
mander OF the submarine inspected the
ships papers OF the Columbian.
Decides to Sink Her.
After the inspection the commander
decided to sink the ship because of the
assistance she had given. contrary TO
neutrality.
THE crew in Z cir own boats were
conveyed on board the steamer BALTIC,
and later, together with the crew Of the
Ratio. put on the Norwegian steamer
Naeringen. The V%aeringen received an
order to carry all h crews to the
Spanish port Of Camarinas and executed
the order. The captain of the Column
bian was at first kept by the commander
OF the submarine on board with him,
but on November 10 the captain was
landed by the submarine commander at
the Bay OF Camarinas.
From the statements made above the
conduct of the commander of the SUBJ
marine appears fully justified. for the
Columbian by her wireless reports re-
garding the position NJ the submarine,
which apparently were intended to call
thither hostile naval forces. had volun-
tnrily put herself into the service of the
hostile defence against submarines and
therefore had taken an immediate part
in hostile action.
Such action. under the principles Of
International law Compare also para
graph 40, section l. Article ]. OF the
Declaration OF London on Naval War
fare), necessarily gave her the character
OF Il hostile merchantmen so that she
might he CAPTURED and sunk as such.
The sinking itself was accomplished
after the taking over OF the ships papers
and the saving OF all human life.
"If the Government OF the United
States In its Instructions to the embassy
in Berlin states that the Columbian
sailed under ballast then It was APP
parently incorrectly informed. The re-
port made by Capt. Curtis In the Lon