New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-20
German Reply Says u. S.
Liner Sent Wireless for
hostile WarShipS
VESSEL FIRST FREED.
THEN TAKEN CAPTIVE
U-BOat Would Not Have
Sunk Her if She Had Not
Sent Air Message

Rcrm Dec 10 by wireless 20 Say
vIl'cl Tho German governments an
swcr 60 tho inquiry Of the United
States in regard TO tho sinking Of the
American steamship Columbian by
German submarine has been handed 20
Joseph G. Grew. tho American Charge
d'AGarcs
Tho note states. according 20 the
Overseas News Agency, that at the
time the incident occurred it was i'm
possible on account OF the weather TO
SEQ for a distance Of three nautical
miles. Tho Wind and sea were rather
high
Fires Warning Shot
After warning shot and the setting
Of tho signal Send your papers on
board the Columbian set tho signal 4
cannot discern your flag" the note
continues.
"This answer seemed TO be justified
on account Of the relative position Of
the ships and the direction Of the
wind. which directed the flying flag
toward tho steamer. The submarine
therefore approached under the water,
and through its periscope made closer
inspection Of the steamship, which had
stoned The submarine then emerged
near tho steamer.
"Whilc the submarine was proceeding
under water IL was observed that the
steamer carried inc American flag and
bore the name Columbian. New York
and also had wireless apparatus. Judg-
ing from her course. the steamer had
come from an English or French port.
on account Of the empty wooden boxes
on the deck she seemed 10 have landed
horses. which are absolute contraband
Of war
Uses Wireless Illegally
con account of the difficulty Of hav-
ing boats come 20 the submarine for
tho rurposc Of making an investigation
the commander Of the submarine gave
un his intention Of inspecting her pa
pers. and signalled 10 the steamer You
ere dismissed and, running above
water. left the steamer. Thereupon the
steamer resumed her former course.
"A short time afterward II was re-
ported 20 the commander Of the sub
marine BY his wireless station that
since tho submarine had emerged wire
less messages sent by the American
steamer had been read. which, IN addi-
fion 20 the s O 5 signal Of distress.
also contained IN plain English reports
regarding the submarine, such rs. FOR
instance. "A submarine is cruising
around us and the position Of the sub
marine at the moment
"These wireless messages prompted
the commander 20 return and stop the
steamer a second time. Although the
wind and weather had become still
heavier. he succeeded in again sighting
and coming Up with the Columbian and
teaching an understanding with her by
signals that followed from the sub
marine that her wireless apparatus was
10 be used with diminished intensity,
only for intercourse with the subma-
rinc.
Decides TO Sink Ships
"The submarine then, together with
The Columbian and the Norwegian
steamer BALTIC. which had been stopped
previously and had prize crew put on
board. travelled I'M a westward direc-
ton during the night. and In the morn
ing. during better weather. the subme-
rine inspected the ships papers Of the
Columbian. After the inspection the
commander decided to sink the ship be-
cause of the assistance she had given
contrary 20 neutrality.
a.rb, .~ous IN fhoir Osn boats. were