The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1916-10-21
RUSH FLEET TO SEA
United States DestrOyers Begin
a Neutrality Patrol Along
New England Coast.
kINGSTONlAA SAFE IN PORT
Vessel Reported Torpedoed by German
Submarine Arrives at Destina-
don-officiais Feel Easier.

Newport, R. 1, Oct 13.-When three
destrOyers, the Jarvis, Drayton and
flaming, steamed out of the harbor at
full speed late today, it was reported
that they would begin a neutrality pa
troll along the New England coast as
a result of the recent German subma-
rine raid. Other destroyers in the
harbor were getting up steam
From unofficial sources it was IN
derstood that the destination of the
three destroyers was the eastern
coast of Maine, in the vicinity Of Bar
Harbor
Boston, Oct. 13.-The British steam
er Kingstonian, reported as among
those torpedoed by a German subma-
rine off Nantucket last Sunday, is
safe in port, according to word re-
ceived today by John NJ. Thomas of
this city, locaI manager OF the Leyland
line, which owns the steamer. Mr.
Thomas said his information showed
that the Kingstonian was thousands
of miles from Nantucket last Sunday.
A Confusion of Names.
This information serves to confirm
the opinion held by marine men here
that the report Of the Kingstonian's
loss arose from q confusion of her
name with that of the Christian Knud-
sen, the Norwegian tank steamer sunk
by the U-boat.
The first British steamer to leave
this port since the appearance Of the
U-boat was reported, sailed today.
She is the Corunna, a coast freighter,
bound for Louisburg. A few hours
later the Leyland liner Memphian
with big cargo, largely grain, sailed
for Manchester, England.
The steamer Kansan which was
held up by the German submarine
early Sunday morning and was later
allowed to proceed to this port where
she took on horses for Genoa, Italy,
is now expected to sail tomorrow.
Eases Official Minds.
Washington, Oct. 13.-Investigation
of Germany's submarine operations
off Nantucket apparently has eased
the minds of officials here, but it was
said autthoritativeIy tonight that
should the situation develop prolonged
paralysis Of American trade in the At
lantic or any similar injury to vital
American interests, broad issue
might be raised transcending the spe-
cific question of international law dis
cussed in connection with the U-boat
raid.
So far the department has made no
extensive investigation of the effect of
the Nantucket raid on American
trade and is expected to consider that
incident solely on its merits as an in
dividuaI case in international law.
Should such raids continue, however,
the resultant restraints on American
interests may become a serious con-
sideration.
Fraught With Danger.
Long Branch, N. J., Oct 11-Presi-
dent Wilson and Secretary of State
Lansing discussed in detail at Shadow
Lawn tonight German submarine at
tacks on merchantmen Sunday off the
| New England coast. The conference
lasted until late tonight and will be
continued tomorrow.
1t was indicated by officials that the
/ facts so far collected through govern.
mental agencies have disclosed nc
| grounds for drastic action by the
United States government because OF
the attacks themselves. No evidence
has been found that international Law
was violated by the German subma
rine or submarines.
It was understood, however, that the
President and secretary discussed the
wisdom Of pointing out to Germany
the inadTisability of operating her sub
marines in close proximity to the ter
ritoriaI waters Of the United States.
Administration officials took the DO
sition that the transferring Of subma
rine warfare so close to Americas
shores was fraught with grave danger
because OF the possibility Of mistake!
being made by submarine comman
ders. Reports that strong sentimen
exists in Germany for the resumption
Of submarine warfare on a broade,
scale caused some alarm among off
Gals.
In discussion Of the submarine al
tacks Sunday officials here referre'
to diplomatic correspondence between
the United States and Great Britain
beginning in 1914, in which the Amer
lean government protested against tn
patrolling of the American coast out
side the Smile limit by British wal
ships. This was pointed to as provid
ing a precedent for protesting agains
the proximity of German submarine
to the American coast.