Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-12-02
GERMANY IS READY
TO OFFER AMENDS
Commander of Submarine Who
Sank the Marina Took Yes
sci for a Transport.
BERNSTORFF SEES LANSING
No Action Will Be Taken Until
Status of Ship is Def
nitely Fixed.


WASHINGTON. December I-Fol-
lowing the receipt to-day Of Il COM
munication from the German govern
ment admitting that "a German subma-
r!pc torpcdocd the British horse shin
Marina with the loss OF six Americans.
Secretary Lansing conferred with
President Wilson. and IL was docid.d
that no action would be taken bv the
American government until IL could be
definitely established whether the Ma
rina was private vessel or a bel
liBerent transport.
IN the note Germany stated that the
commander OF the submarine which
sank the Marina had reported that no
TOOK the vessel FOR transport and
asked the United States for informa-
tion on this point. Count Won Rcrns
storh. the German ambassador called
at the State Department during tho
day. and also sought this information.
Secretary Lansing told him that the
United states WAS not in n position
to answer the inquiry. but would do
so as quickly as possible.
Officials Indicated that no action
could he expected in the Immediate
future on tn. Marina case. admittedly
ono OF the two most SERIOUS pending
between the United States and Ger
many. The other is that OF tn. British
liner Arabia, sunk in the Mediter-
rancan.
PREVIOUSLY Connected
WITH TRANSPORT SERVICE
Gcrmany. 1t is understood is ready
to acknowledge error and make offars
or settlement if il is established that
INC Marina was not in tho British
transport service. When the vessel was
sunk London dispatches s'Strd that she
previously had been connected win
inc transport service. aud also that
she was armed with gun astern.
manned by two British naval Eunners
III the ship was in public service
prior To being torpedocd som. state
department officials take the position
thht the presumption was in favor Of
the position that an enemy might have
believed her still To be TRANSPORT
when attacked. In order tn clear up
'h's point. the nature Of her previous
'harter and the orders under which
she sailed will be investigated.
state Department officials hesitate to
nahe ruling on what constitutes n
vessel in public service in time of war
until a decision has been handed down
IN the case of tho Italian steamer At
tualita. libclcd In tho Federal court M
Norfolk. Va. after Il collision with u
Greek vessel. The poin; at issue is
somewhat similar To that involved i'm
inc Marina incident. as the character
Of the tttualita is disputed.
LANSING GOES OVER CASE
IN DETAIL WITH WILSON
Secretary Lansing went over the ease
IN detail with President Wilson after
the call of the German ambassador. but
at the time had not examined all the
aftidavfts bearing on the attack on
ME at the state Department. II was
indicated that il will be possibIc for
the American government 10 collect ALI
the evidence necessary withou, fur
ther reference TO the German govern
ment.
In It's last note to Germany on the
submarine question. the United States
stated that diplomatic relations would
De broken off unless the practice OF
torp"doinE vessels without warning
was abandoned
Ihe door to acceptance Of amends
was not entirely closed. although warn
ing was given that offers OF rcparn-
tion and expressions of regret could
not compensate for illegal destruction
OF American lives.