The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-10-31

London, Oct. 31.-Thirteen of; the
crew of the British steamer Martha,
reported torpedoed without WarHirg.
including probably some Americans
are still missing, United States Consu,
Frost telegraphed the American en-
bassy here today. Survivors declare
the Marina was torpedoed without
warning in a heavy sea and sank with
in ten minutes. Frost said.
Fifty-two of the Marina's crew,
among those reported missing yester-
day, have been landed at Castletown,
the consul telegra phed. The surviv-
ors report that thirty-six Americans
were aboard the steamer when she
sank.
Frost's dispatches reached the en-
bassy half an hour after press reports
from Queenstown stated that from
fifty to eighty-five of the Marina's
crew had persisted. One correspond
ent wired that thirty-five Americans
lost their lives. 1t is assumed that
these dispatches were filed before
word reached Queenstown of the land
ing of more survivors at Castletown.
Not Under British Charter.
It is believed at the embassy that
Frost already is en- route to Crook
Haven or Castletown to obtain affi-
davits from the American survivors.
Summaries of the contents of these
affidavits will be cabled to the state
department at once. The admiralty at
the same time began another lnvestl-
cation today, the results of which will
be announced shortly. Thus far the
admiralty has no official confirma-
ton of reports that the ship was sunk
without warning. Government Off
Gals deny that the Marina was under
government charter.
Were American Lives Lost?
Washington, Oct. 31.-The state de-
partment today bent every effort to-
ward supplanting the provisional
report of yesterday with verified in
formation on the sinking of the Brit
ish horse ship Marina and the British
freighter Rowanmore. It was hoped
Consul Frost at Queenstown would be
able quickly to clear the questions
which his first reports left unanswered
On the answer to these questions may
depend an extremely serious subma-
rine issue between the United States
and Germany. Primarily the state de-
partment sought news of the Ameri-
cans on board the Marina-whether
any of the fifty horsemen signed on at
Newport News, Va, have lost their
lives.
F'rost,s provisional report, based on
his first information, was that the
German submarine gave no warning.
If this is borne out-and if the Ma
rina, unlike the Rowanmore. did not
attempt to escape-the issue faced is
the most serious since the sinking of
the Sussex.
All Data Sent to Wilson.
All information obtainable is being
forwarded Immediately to President
Wilson at Shadow Lawn 1t is not ex-
pected, however. that the president
will find it necessary to come to
Washington.
Supplemental proof of the state
ments of officers of the Donaldson
line, owners of the Marina, that she
was not under charter to the British
government and did not have the
character of an admiralty vessel. was
being sought today.
The one fact in the early reports
concerning the Rowanmore that offer
ed probable complications was the
statement of some survivors that the
small boats in which they left the ship
were shelled by the submarine. These
statements will be sifted.
Probably American Lives Lost.
London, Oct 51.-Mr. Frost's teIe-
gram to the embassy follows:
''Fifty-two more survivors of the
Marina landed at Castletown pier
Only thirteen now missing believed
dead. Not less than thirty-six Amerf-
cans aboard, of whom sixteen saved
at Crook. Haven There will probably
be some American fatalities