Evening star., 1916-11-01
Political Campaign Not to At
feet Investigation of U-Boat
Attacks, Is Claim.
Won BERNSTORFF ASKS
MARINA CASE FACTS
Officials of Embassy Here Regard
Sinking of Ship as Highly
Serious.

al statement today that the progress
of the political campaign would in no
way affect the investigation OF sub
marine attacks. and that there mad
been no change in the United States
governments policy.
Meanwhile Count Won Bernstorn.
the German ambassador, sent wire
less dispatch to his government, ask
ing that he be furnished Immediately.
by wireless, with all the details avail
able regarding the sinking of the Ma
rina.
Mr.. Lansing's Statement
Secretary Lansing's statement fol-
lows:
The fact that a political campaign
is in progress will in no way ahec' the
practice of the department in negotiat-
ing and in making full Investigation OF
cases of this sort. We shall do 1T, as
we ALWAYS have, with as much celerity
as possible.
ii wish also to make another state
ment on a matter which has been
brought to my attention. Ihe Dues
ton has been raised as to Whether tne
poIicy of the President OF the depart
,nent in regard to submarine warfare
since the sussex was sunk has peen
changed. I wish to say emphat,caily
that there has been no change IN any
particular.
Will Await German Reply.
Secretary Lansing made it plain also
that no decisive action would be taken
until Germany had had opportunity to
reply to the inquiry for her version OF
the attacks on the Marina and Row
anmore. The instructions sent to the
embassy at Berlin were said to ask for
an investigation by Germany and NOT
for an explanation. 1t was not meant
to indicate that the United States Pc
Iieyed that it had any proof that Ger
many had violated her pledges
No affidavits of American SURVIVORS
have yetsbeen received. but are expect
ed to begin arriving shortly. Ine de-
partment has requested that they De
cabIed imm mediately.
Regarded Seriously.
Omcia1s of the German embassy
seemed inclined today to regard the
case as being one of great seriousness,
should it be shown that the Marina
was attacked in violation of the
pledges given to the United States. At
the same time it was made clear that
Count Won Bernstorff does not believe
the pledges have been violated.
The ambassador win not call at the
State Department until he receives a
reply to the message sent ms govern
ment. unless he should be called in by
Secretary Lansing.
The question of whether the Marina
was armed is becoming increasingly
important. No mention of that has
been made in adyices SO far received,
and the embassy in London has asked
for information on the point.
German Contention.
Germany has contended that ships
armed even with a small stern gun. for
defense only, should not be entitled to
the ordinary guarantees, but could be
sunk on sight as being practically naval
auxiliaries.
The fact that England has been arm
ing more and more of her merchantmen
has made the question a vital one in
Gerinanys consideration of a wider
submarine campaign
Officials here leave no doubt that the
United States will not admit such a
contention by Germany. The govern
ment will stand on that point where
it has stood throughout.
Hasten the Facts, President Urges.
By the Associated Press.
LONG BRANCH. \. J., November l.
After receiving unofficial information
that six Americans had lost their lives
by the sinking of the British steamship
Marina. President Wilson communicate
ed with Secretary of State Lansing last
night and directed that all possible
haste be taken fn obtaining the facts
the sinking of the vessel
Secretary Lansing informed the
President that in addition to the ask
ing the American embassy in London
for information. informal inquiries had
been sent to the German government
While it was made clear here that
no action would be taken pending the
collection of all the facts. it was indi-
Gated that the view was taken that the
contained grave possibilities.
Secretary Lansing stated that he was
not in possession of sufficient facts on
which to base judgment of the case
While preliminary reports have indicat-
ed that the Marina was sunk without
warning, additional Information on
that point is desired.
When President Wilson left here last
night he gave directions that he be
kept thoroughly in touch with the sit
uation during his trip to Buffalo and
New York city.
JURY ACQUITS TEXAN.