South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-12-02
MORE NEWS ON
MARINA SOUGHT
Wilson and Lansing Decide to
Wait Following Note
From Germany.

WASHINGTON. Dec. 2.-FoUowine
The receipt Friday of a communi-
cation from the German government
admitting that a German submarine
torpedoed the British horse ship Ma
rina with the loss of six Americans.
Sec'y Lansing conferred with Pres't
Wilson and it was decided that no
action would he taken with the Ger
man government until 10 could be
definitely established whether the
Marina was a private vessel or bel
Igerent transport Tn the note Ger
many stated that the commander or
the submarine which sank the Ma
rina had reported that he took the
vessel for transport. and asked the
United states for information ON this
point. Count Won Benstorn. the Ger
man ambassador called at the state
department during the day end also
sought this information. He was told
by Sec'y Lansing that the United
States was not yet i'm a position %
answer the inquiry. but would do so
Ass quickly as possible
As a result Of the developments Of
the day, it was Indicated by officials
that no action could be expected In
the immediate future on the Marina
case. admittedly one Of the two most
serious pending between the United
states and Germany. The other is
that OF the British liner Arabia. sunk
Zoo the Mediterranean.
Admit Error
Germany 10 is understood. is ready
10 acknowledge error and make of
that the Marina was not i'm the Brit
submarine question the United States
ish transport service. When the YES
sci was suns it was stated in dis
patches from London that she pre-
viously had been connected with the
transport service and also that when
she sailed on her last voyage she
was armed with gun astern. man
ned by two British naval gunners
state department officials hesitate
30 make a ruling ON what constitutes
vessel in public service in time OF
war until decision has been handed
down in the ease of the Italian vessel
Attualita lioeled i'm the United states
court 40 Newport News. Va. after "a
collision with a Greek vessel The
point at issue is somewhat similar to
that Involved I'm the Mar.ul incident.
Bs the character of the Attualita isl
disputed
Sec.y Lansing went over the case
Uith Pres't Wilson after the call Of
tae German ambassador. but az the
Time had not examined an the afrda-
sits bearing on the attack on file AT
-he state department 10 was indi-
Gated that BE- viii Doe possible for the
American government TO collect AM
lHe evidence without further refer
-hee 90 the German government.
10 was stated that mo- decision had
been reached ON whether when the
desired information has been gath
cred. IL VIII Doe furnished TO the Ger
man government without comment
and further action awaited from Ber-
.n. or whether No viii Doe embodied I'm
noJe stating the position OF the
American government iu the case.
The result Of the Investigation. il
was Understood. VIII determine this
question.
Iu it's last note 10 Germany on the
submarine question the United State
stated that diplomatic relations
would be broken or unless the prac-
Gee IL torpedoins vessels .ithout
warming was abandoned. The door 90
tEe acceptance of amends was not
entirely closed although warning was
-Nen that offers of PREPARATION and
e>pressions of regret could not com
pensate for nlegal destruction or
american lives.