The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-11-10
'U-bOAT ACTIVITY
 CAUSES CONCERN
 AT WASHINGTON
Admit Situation Is Serious, But Germany Has Not Yet
 Broken Pledge.

Washington, Nov: fe:-state Depart Inent officials yesterday stated that recent submarine attacks en ships f1y- ing the American flag and charges that several British ships were sunk without warning have created 8 seri- ous situation.
 Secretary Lansing said that ho in- formation had reached the State De- partment through official channels to indicate that the German government had changed its policy as te the con- duct of submarine warfare:
 Confirmation Is Lacking.
 No confirmation has been received of the British Admiralty's announce ment that the British steamship Ara bia of the Peninsular and Oriental line, carrying more than 400 passen- gers, was terpedeed in the Meiiter- raneon Monday without warning. A report that two Americans were on the Arabia also lacks confirmation.
 The only despatch concerning the Arabia received at the State Depart ment yesterday was 8 Ledy's report
 
 icett at London reiterating that the steamship was sunk without wal ming. This despatch also reported the sink ing of the Norwegian steamship Refine, the British steamship Seaton1a and the Danish steamship Sif. No de- tails were given regarding the sink ing of the Refine. The despatch said part of the crew of the Seatonia were rescued by @ Swedish steamship and that the crew Of the Sif was saved.
 Officials are awaiting with no little anxiety further tidings from the American-EIawaiian liner Columbian, reported to have sent out wireless calls for help stating that she was being shelled by submarine, altough flying the Stars and Stripes at the time. The only condition under which an Ameri- can ship could legally be shelled would be an attempt at flight by it's commander.
 Persia Sinking Recalled.
 The sinking of the Arabia recalled to officials yesterday the loss of the Peninsular and Oriental liner Persia in the Mediterranean more than a year ago. The United States sent sharp notes of inquiry to the German and Austrian governments and later to Turkey, but none of them would accept responsibility for the attack. In fact it was never definitely proved that the Persia was torpedoed, al- though strong suspicion always has existed here that she was a submarine victim.
 While officials have received no in- formation indicating a new and more drastic submarine policy on the part of Germany, the numerous recent at. tacks have had the effect of creating a feeling of uncertainty and apprehen- sion.
 Heretofore careful investigation has failed to substantiate charges that ships have been sunk in violation of the latest pledge given to the United States by Germany. Officials do not believe the German Government would adopt a more radical policy without public notice. It was strong ly intimated today that if Germany in these recent attacks is seeking to determine how far the United States will let her submarine warfare go without calling halt, this informa- ton may be quickly forthcoming.
 No Change in United States Policy
 There has been absolutely no change in the policy of the United States to- ward the submarine issue since the exchange of notes with Germany fol- lowing the attack on the Channel steamship Sussex. Germany was warned at the time that break in diplomatic relations would quickly follow the repetition of such attacks. j
 State Department officials said to- day they did not see thet the pres ence of gun on either the Marina, which was sunk with Americans aboard, or the liner Arabia, would make any difference in the handling of these cases should the facts war rant affirmative action by the United States. Under our port regulations merchant ships may clear with guns mounted for defense only up to 6-inch calibre.