Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-10-09
NO HASTY ACTION
CONTINUED from Page one)

days operations, in which none Of the
ships destroyed appears to have been
attacked without warning or without
proper measures for safety OF those
aboard. Accidentally at least in in
ternational law an allied ship Destroy
ed by the German submarine just out
side the three-mile limit and in sight
Of American shores is no different than
| a ship destroyed in the Arctic ocean,
provided it's destruction is accomplish
ed in accordance with the laws Of ma
tiens and humanity.
But, despite the fact that 1t seems to
make little difference on which partic-
ular part Of the high seas Germany
presecutes her newest submarine cam
paign officials and diplomats see sit
uation filled with so many possibilities
that it is almost impossible to enumer-
ate them so long as commerce in and
out of American ports is menaced.
Questions Arising
The presence Of a German subma-
rine fotilla near American territorial
waters, officials fear, may raise per-
picking questions of neutrality and in
fact a most serious issue would be
raised if the operations Of the subma-
rines were carried on so near Ameri-
can ports as. virtually to constitute
blockade.
At the outset of the war, when al
lied cruisers lowered off New York so
close that commerce was impeded. the
United States, constituting their oper-
atoms as virtually blockade notified
France and Great Britain of its objec-
tons and the ships promptly were
moved farther out to sea. The posi-
bility of a similar situation resulting
from submarine operations is foreseen.
The destruction of half a dozen ships
destroyed within sight of the shore
of the United States while American
warships lowered near to take off the
victims aroused reports OF German
bases and conveys.
Believe More Than One at Work
One renewed report was that large
quantities of fuel oil had been submerged
at points in the Gulf of Mexico. one the
coast of Maine and on the Canadian
coast. A conjecture which was generally
ACCEPTED as among the most likely posi-
bilities was the submarine or submarines
are accompanied by merchant submersi-
bles Of the Bremen type loaded with tor
pedoes and ammunition. Many officials
leaned to that view and pointed out that
one lone submarine 5000 miles from base
would scarcely have spent torpedoes so
prodigally as did Commander Rose today
unless there was a supply close at hand.
Navy officials thought it possible that one
submarine could have done today's work
unaided. but they leaned strongly to the
theory that probably f1otilla Of Germa-
ny's newest U boats is off the coast. 1t
was regarded ass significant that German
embassy Officially while disclaiming any
information SAID they suspected there
was more than one submarine.
It was openly declared here tonight
that today's operations mark the opening
Of an organized campaign in the waters
adjacent to America against all commerce
Of the Allies in general. and especially
vessels carrying munitions of war 1t IS
expected that attacks also will be directed
at transports carrying troops from Cana
da and at British and French warsh!ps IN
patrol duty off the coast.
Diplomatic representatives Of the Gen.
trail Powers declared emphatically that
they knew the assurances regarding the
conduct of submarine warfare given to
the United States would be strictly ad-
hered to and that no vessels would be
sunk without warning or before the pas
sengers and crews had been given op-
portunity to reach a place of safety.
1t was suggested in some quarters
that the U-boat campaign probably
would not be .confined to northern
waters. The fl ket of tankers carrying
oil eastward from the Tampico fields
for the British navy would offer
tempting field for operations.
Won Bernstorff's Letter
The dispatch sent to Count Won
Bernstorff by Lieut. Capt. Rose arrived
today, but was said to have contained
no important information. Neither did
it enclose any communication from the
German government.
The dispatch was brief, being writ
ten in German upon one sheet of pa
per. Captain Rose opened by reporting
his arrival, adding that he entered
Newport to show his ship to the Amer
lean navy. knowing that many ships
were gathered there. The communica-
ton closed with the statement that he
thought he might secure some supplies,
should they be offered to him, and re-
quested the embassy to pay any bills.
The embassy appeared to be disar-
pointed because the commander of the
submarine failed to give more inform
alton regarding himself, his vessel and
his intentions.
Count Won Bernstorff left Washing
ton tonight for New York. Tomorrow
he will go to Shadow Lawn, N. j.,
where he has an appointment with
President Wilson. 1t is generally un-
derstood that the ambassador will pre-
sent an autograph letter from Emper-
or William replying to the Presidents
personal message regarding relief in
Poland.
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