The Washington herald., 1917-02-21
TENSION TIGHTER
DUE To FACTS IN
DALBEATTIE CASE
Smelling of Boats Without
Cause Arouses Grave
Concern Here.
ADDS TO GRIEVANCES
Exposure to Two Americans May
Cause u. S. to Act at Last.

Out of the German war zone last night
came another report OF relentless sub
marine warfare that frightened the grad
ually relaxing international tension In
Washington.
Consul Frost. al Queenstown, reported
the shelling OF the Norwegian steamer
Dalbeattie. while the crew was abandon
ing the vessel Two Americans in the
crew OF the DaIbeattie were saved
The significant statement in Consul
Frost's report that the DaIbeattic ,as
snelled without cause while abandoning
ship caused grave concern among State
Department officials. although the de-
partment hatly declined 10 discuss the
incident in any way. II was pointed out,
however. that the Dalbeattie case would
add weight to the long list OF cumulative
violations OF American rights which the
President now has before him. and
which. it has been said. might become
the basis for the next step" in the con-
troversy with Germany
The report OF Consul Frost on the sink
ing Of the Dslbeattie was received BY
the State Department on Monday II wai
Tot given out however. until cabled re-
ports OF the sinking OF the vessel were
published yesterday. The State Depart
ment announcement said:
Text of Dispatch.
The following dispatch was received
from Consul Frost at Queenstown: Nor.
wegian steamer Dalbeattie. / .S27 tons, car
rylnE coal. Glasgow 10 Gibraltar. suuh
Il a. m. Eth. byshen FIRE, thirty miles
on FastHet. Carried neither gun nor
wireless. Stopped engine upon first shot.
but was shelled without cause while aban'
dOning ship. No offer Of aid. Weather
heavy. swells, light wind, clear sky. Boat
evidently referring 10 life boat, res
cued lao a. m. 1sth Two native Amerf
cans on board, Frank Wood. Keene. y
H; John Guerra, Los Angeles Wood in
Sosrital with acute bronchitis contracted
prior to disaster but aggravated by eN.
fosure"
President Wilson and his entire cabinet
C.scussed the international situation yes
terday but their deliberations wer,
shrouoed with complete secr~cy Botl
the White House and the Presidents ad-
visers fatty refused TO make any state
ment rs TO the matters considered by
the cabinet meeting. Il was understood.
however that no final decision as "a
the course OF the President IN seeking
further authority from Congress had beer
reached.
VIII Feel out Austria.
While State partment or1ciss de.
cllned 10 discuss the Austrian situation
IN any way. or to comment on ca bled re-
ports that Amba ssador PenheId had
asked the Vienna foreign ONCE TO state
definitely Austria's position on the sub
marine question. it was learned that such
a request had been directed by the de-
psrtment.
Ambassador Penfield was instructed by
the department some time ago to ascer-
~" oe0nI'eiy the Austrian position. and
1t IS probable, in view OF the long delay
l1 curing the Information, that he has
been pressed to hasten the matter.
II was stated unof7CisUy last night
that the President and his advisers are
anxious TO avoid break with Austria IL
possible They desire to retain some
formal relations with the Teutonic allies.
aHd hey f"ar that a break with Austria
would ailenate Bulgaria and Turkey.
Further assurances as 10 the safety
OF Americans in Germany were received
last night. The State Department re-
ported the arrival on Swiss soil OF the
trainload Of consular officers and other
-hH.e yscans left in Germany by Ambasss-
dor Gerard
Counselor Polk said last night that the
depa rtment was without further adviCes
as to the seventy-two Yarrowdale pris-
oners. So far as this country has been
informed. they arc stiH held in Germany,
but will be released shortly"