The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-02-24
HADES LOST HIS LIFE
TRYING TO SAVE OFFERS

Washington, Feb. 23.-The death OF
an American missionary In the sink
ing OF the French liner Athos in the
Mediterranean tonight added a new
complication to the international stu
alton Consul Wilbur Keblinger. at
Malta. cahled the department that
when The Athos was torpedoed with
out warning by a submarine which
carried no flag. Robert Allen Haden, A
Presbyterian field worker at 500
Chow, China. was drowned Consul
Keblinger was ordered to make full
and complete report at once, and Of
fetal Washington once more sought
to determine whether the long dread
ed overt act had been committed.
Consul kehliuger reported that this
Athos, one of the most luxurious
liners In the Mediterranean trade, was
torpedoed 2l0 miles east of Malta on
February II. He said that he has
been unable 10 confirm reports that
the vessel was carrying troops State
department officials said that il 1t de-
veioped that the Athos was In use as
a transport, the sinking might bave
been within international law. and
would not form the basis for the
next step in the German crisis.
In Consul kehlinger's report II was
stated that Hadeu could have saved
himself but that he was lost in an
effort TO rescue several Chinese who
were drowning, The address of tha
lost American was given as care OF
Mission Board" Nashville. Tenn.
The whole range OF the internal
nonal problem was threshed over by
President Wilson with his cabinet at
regular meeting today Afterwards
1t was stated that no radical change
in the international policy had been
decided upon, and that no new prob.
lems had arisen The feeling was ap-
parent. however, that the president
would go before congress early next
week in order to seek all the authority
which may be necessary to deal with
the situation.
Matter of Debate.
What form this request FOR author.
ity VIII take, however, was still q
matter of debate, and legislative con-
Sress which made it possible that an
extra session of congress viii ba
forced led to the belief that the Jresi-
dent might delay his demand. An
determination by senate Re-
publicans to force an extra session by
imperative legislation waa
looked upon as a means OF forcinG
the president to make his interna-
tional intentions clear at once or to
insure the presence OF congress In
extra session as check upon the
president, should conditions become
grave after March A.
The administration .oday adhered
to its determination not to place na-
WI guns and gunners aboard Ameri-
can merchant ships. 1t was stated
at the navy department that another
effort of r. A. S. Franklin to secur0
navy gunners to man guns on the d
ships of the American line had proved
futile. and that nothing would be done
in this direction at this time.
Offieial Washington was convinced
tonight that the diplomatic break with
Germany must soon be followed by ~
break with all of the Teutonic alileS.
1t was known that the advices TO the
state department frcn' Vienna. Core
stantinople and Sofia have been far
from encouraging. and that the stats
la about convinced thnt
Germany has succeeded In mobilising
the sentiment OF all Of her allies 10
hind her declaration Of ruthless ~
marine warfare