The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-12-02
GE ERI|ANY ADMITS SINKING The
MARINA WITH Loss IF AMERICANS
SUB COMMANDER SAYS
TT WAS A TRANSPORT
Germany Willing to Apologize
and Pay Indemnity
if in Wrong.

WASHINGTON. y. G.. Dec. -
Following the receipt to-day OF com
munica,ion from the German govern
ment admitting that a German subma-
rine lorpedoed the British horse ship
Marina, with the loss of six Americans,
Secretary Lansing conferred with
President Wilson. and II was decided
that no action would be taken by the
American government until it could be
definitely established whether the Ma
rina was a private vessel or DelllSef-
enL transport.
In the note Germany stated that the
commander Of the submarine which
sank the Marina had reported that ne
took the vessel for transport anu
asked the United States for lnforma-
lion on this point. Count ron Bern
storf. ihe German ambassador, called
al The State Department during the
day. and also sought this lntorlnatlon.
~. was told by Secretary Lansing that
HE United States was not yet IN
nositlon 10 answer the inquiry. but
would do so as quickly as possible.
is g result Of the developments or
tn. day. it was indicated by officials
that 90 action could BE- expected III the
immediate future on the Marina case,
admitted one OF The TWO most serious
pending letween thc United States
and German The U'hcr is that OF the
British liner A~:thia, sunk in the Med
iterranean.
Will Max Amends.
Germany. it is understood, is ready
70 acknowledge error ." maze offers
of settlement. if it is cS.:~ StShcu the
Marina was MOI in the D!iC'Sh trans
mort service. When the rS5.>=i Was
sunk it was stated in dispatc:se; iTom
London that she previously n&1 o:''.'
connected with the transport service.
and also that when she sailed Oh Err
last voyage she was armed with gun
astern, manned by Two British naval
gunners.
If the ship was in public service.
prior TO being torpedoed some state
department officials take the position
that the presumption was in favor o.
thn position that an enemy might hay"
believed her still to be transport III
the time of the attack. In order 10
clear up this point the nature OF her
nreylous charter, the orders under
which she was sailing and the char
actpr of her officers and crew Will De
investigated.
State department officials beSta'"
to make a ruling on what constitute.
vessel in public service in time OF
war until a decision has been handed
down In the case of the Italian vessel
Attualita, libeled in the United SLatG&
court al Newport News, Va. aft sf~!.
collision with Greek vessels. The
point al issue is somewhat similar tn
that involved in the Marina incident.
as the character of the AtLua'liH Is
disputed.
Confers With Wilson.
Secretary Lansing Went over me
case in detail with President " lISoh.
after the cali of the German amOaSsa.
dor. but at the time had not examined
all the affidavts bearing upon fhH a.
tack on file at the state departmcnt II
was indicated that If Will be possible
for the American government 10 COZ
lect all the evidence necessary Will
out further reference 10 the German
government.
heen reached on whether, when the
desired information has been gathered
il will ne furnished TO the German
government without comment and fur
ther action waited from Berlin or
whether il will be embodied III notn
stated that diplomatic relations would
government in the case. The result or
the Investigation il WAS said, VIII &C.
termine this question.
In IT'S last nore TO Germany on the
submarine question, the United States
stated that Diplomatic relations would,
no broken off unless the practice OF
fornedoing vessels without warning
was abandoned. The door TO accept.
ance of amends was not entirely
closed. although warning was given
that offers OF reparation and express
sions Of regret could not compensate
for illegal destruction Of AneTlGat