Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-10-20
of the disaster proved great shock to
"a nj >, isa& no fi1,,,. ofacinls

of the disaster proved a great shock to
administration officials.
There was evident relief, however,
that the transport was not sunk on the
outward bound voyage when carrying
hundreds, perhaps thousands. Of Amer
ican soldiers.
Until this disaster not a single trans
port has been sunk or even hit by the
German subma arines, which have lain in
wait for the American flotillas and have
repeatedly attempted to break thru the
cordo1s Of destroyers and patrol boats
constituting the conveys.
Had Made Other Trips.
The Antilles had made several voy-
ages since the transportation Of the
troops commenced last June. The
steamer. altho under convoy when
sunk, may not have been protected by
as, many naval vessels as when carry
ing troops.
All transports are heavily guarded
when carrying troops. but 1t is possi-
BILE that on homeward bound voyages
the patrol is lightened.
Naval officers say, however, that 1t
is practically impossible to guard
transports against a, submarine which
is not sighted. as in the case of the
Antilles. A submarine, running sub
merged, with only it's periscope above
water. happening upon transport.
would have no difficulty in doing It's
work without detection IL not compelled
to maneuver for position.
Cause OF Navy Inquiry.
Naval officers say that the American
people must steel themselves to the re-
ceipt Of news OF the sinking Of trans
ports even when carrying troops. Every
precaution possible will be taken to
prevent such disasters. but the trans
portation Of the entire army without
such losses would be regarded as little
short Of miraculous.
There will beSa searching inquiry into
the causes Of the Antilles disaster for
the purpose OF determining whether the
navy was at fault in the character and
operation Of the convoy furnished.
It is assumed that Admiral Sims al
ready has ordered such court Of in
quiry. Naval officers say, however, that
it is unlikely -there will be disclosed
any ground for questioning the vigi-
lance Of the officers Of the convoy.
Night Would Aid Attack.
An important omission in Rear Ad-
miral Sims dispatch is the time Of the
disaster. IL IS NOT known whetner the
Antilles was SUNK III daylight or at
night.
The opinion here Is that It was prob
ably at night II there was moonlight,
the advantage would be with the sub
marine, which could see the ship and
approach IL CLOSELY enough 70 olscnarso
q torpedo wienout pelns- detecteo.
oncials are gconndent 1nat tnose VINO
survived owe their lives to che careful
attention given py tne navy depart
ment 70 the equippng OF TRANSPORTS
with hiepoats ana NE raIss: u IS q
hxed rule tnat enough poaFss and ao ralts
shall De CARED TO anQrd place TOT
every man ABOARD. even SnofSne snip
Keel over an0 ~ aall ats Doaus ONT sO1s
comn1issfon = y.
No Escape For Men Dsiow Decks.
Ehe loss OF the ships engineer oni-
GERS indicates the propaplity that no
one OF the engine ana nre room FORCES
on duty escaped. ProDaply most Oh
them died IN the blast Of the explosion
OF the torpedc, Which tore 1ts way into
Ihe heaVy loss among the army on
listed men indicated can not De &c
counted for until further details come
IN. PROBABLY ,they ana tne navy men
weresin tther qnefters below ana could
NOT make their way on deck Derore tas
ship tcok her nnal plunge. Ihe army
navy and ships officers and the others
whc We're rescued PROBABLY were on
deck or in cabins from which a step
TOOK them TO the deck and chance Tor
tneir hves.
Lacking details OF the attack, beyond
the fact that the submarine was un-
seen ana the frst warming to those
aboard the Antilles came with the
snock OF the explosion OF the torpedo
many theor1es were current as TO how
the U-ooat crept tnru the DESTROYER
screen, did its work ana escaped un-
challenged.
Likely Theory OF the Disaster.
A majority of the officers. who would
her conveying patrols had run directly
them coming, calculated the distance