New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-11-01
Calls on Ber-
lin for U-bOat Yer
sions of Attacks
NO ACTION UNTIL
GERMANY REPLIES
Wilson Sees "Grave Posi-
bilities"- "-BernstOrff Con-
fdent Pledge Is Kept

Washington, Oct. 3l.-Germany
has been asked to furnish the United
States any information the Imperial
government may have concerning
the sinking by submarines of the
British steamers Marina and Row
anmore. The request was forward
ed. it became known tonight,
through the American Embassy at
Berlin.
II is understood the State Depart
ment took this step without wait
ing for full reports from British
sources and survivors of the ships,
because it would be considered de-
sirable to assemble at the earliest
possible moment complete informa-
ton, particularly regarding the Ma
rina. on which American horse tend
ers lost their lives.
No Charge of Bad rain
The request is informal, and IS IN
tended in no sense as an intlmatlon
that German submarines have vio-
lated international law or the
pledges of the German government
to the United States.
While the Marina is the first vessel
on which American lives have been lost
in the war zone since the Sussex was
sunk, and all reports so far have
said she was attacked without warn
ing: there was no evident tension over
the case to-day in government circles.
Officials continued to be optimistic,
apparently in the belief that final ac'
counts would show that the steamer
lost her immunity as merchantman
by flight or by attempting a counter
attack. As to the Rowanmore, which
admittedly sought desperately to es-
cane. there seemed to be but one point
TO clear up-whether the submarine
actually fred upon boats leaving the
ship, as alleged by survivors.
Virtually no information about
either case was given out by the State
Department during the day. Secretary
Lansing. who is handling the situation
personally, declined to say anything
further than that his information stliI
was incomplete, that some reports nad
come from London during the day and
that the affdavits of survivors would
he cabled to the department as soon
as they could be taken.
Puzzled by "Gunfire' Report
So far as could be learned, the de-
partment has not been able to clear
up the discrepancy between Consul
Frost's provisional" report yesterday
that the Marina had been sunk win
out warning by gunfire and to-day s
unofficial advices from England quot
INC the consul and others as saying
that the ship was torpedoed.
II NAV be a week or more before the
German reply is received, as the sub
marine or submarines which made the
attacks probably would not return 10
their bases and report for several days.
Unless there is an unreasonable delay
at Berlin no serious action VIII be
taken here pending the reply, even
though complete information from otner
sources should make II evident tnat
there must be action.
Embassy Thinks Pledges Kept
The German Embassy does not be-
lieye the evidence will show violation
of the pledges given TO the United
States. il is said at the embassy, how
ever. .hat if a commander OF SUBJ
marine has violated or exceeded MS or
ders his action would be promptly met
with severe punishment.
Officials Of the embassy feel that
Consul Frost's dispatch yesterday, say
ing the Marina had been shelled, lndi-
Gated that the vessel was trying 70
escape.
Discussion of the Marina and Rowan
more cases to-day developed the fact
that the State Department never has
learned what punishment was imposed
by Germany upon the submarine com
mander who sank the Sussex, although
Ambassador Gerard was instructed
some time ago 20 make inquiries or the
subject. A department official said
this was one Of the subjects that would
be taken up with the ambassador when
he called before starting on the return
- 70 porlir after his vacation.