Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-03
Attack on the Petrolite.

| Attack on the Petrolite.
The same submarine. presumably, at
tackled the American oil steamer Petro-
lite two days later. December 5, off the
coast of Tripoli. A sailor was injured
| by a shot into the Petrolite's engine
room and the submarine continued fir
| ing after the Petrolite had swung
| broadSide so the submarine commander
! could see her name tainted on her side
and the American flag flying between
+; her maStS. The submarine commander
finally permitted the Petrolite to pro-
\ coed after he had taken some of her
i stores. The American government
| made representations to Vienna, which
replied with dispute over the facts
| Diplomatic negotiations still are I'M
| finished.
| The sinking of the Japanese liner
| Yasaka Maru without warning in the
threatened to involve the United States,
| because Walter James Leigh of
american parentage" was on board.
| His citizenship never has been estab-
| lished to this government. No lives
were lost. but the incident was notable
as the first action of the war involving
japan outside of the far east.
q. S. Consul Loses Life.
new crisis, and the first suspicion
that German submarines were operat-
| ing in the Mediterranean--or that Aus
trian submarines were being manned by
| German officers and crews-was devel-
oped by the destruction of the British
liner Persia, December 80, 1915, south
| east of Crete, while on her way to the
| orient.
| American Consul McNeeley, on his
| way to his post at Alden. was among
a na ho 1~, u,
| which two or more were Americans.
| The wake of a torpedo was seen, but
| no submarine was visible. Germany,
Austria and Turkey denied RESPONSE
bility The United States again made
| representations and assurances were
given for what Germany termed
cruiser warfare" which involved a
promise not to sink any peaceful ships
withour warning or providing for the
| safety of those aboard.
! 1t will be noted that with the com
Ling of winter and the chilling storms
| which sweep the North sea submarine
warfare was transferred to the warmer
| waters of the Mediterranean and then
finally, was much restricted until the
spring of 1916. Various reasons, other
than those of the weather, have been
advanced for the condition. One was
that the British and French naval
forces had destroyed so many subma-
rines that Germany could not resume
operations until she built more; an
other was the vigorous diplomatic pro-
tests of the United States.
However, with the passing Of winter
Germany declared new policy of sink
ing without warning any merchant
snip carrying any armament whatso-
ever, and on March / the submarine
campaign was resumed with vigor and
ruthlessness.
| Unarmed French Ship Fired On.
Promptly on the first day of the new
campaign the French liner Patria-
carrying no armament whatever-sail-
ing from Naples to New York, was at
lacked without warning by subma-
rine north of Tunis. Passengers and
crew saw the torpedo pass harmlessly
under the Patria's stern, and some saw
a periscope. The Patria put on full
speed and escaped further attack. but
had another narrow escape in the same
way the next month. Americans were
on board in both instances.
With the renewal of the submarin.
campaign the destruction of ship.
sometimes numbered as high as ten IL
one day. but only those cases which in.
VOWED Americans are treated here.
On March 3, 1915, while lying at an
Choir in Havre Roads, the Norwegian
bark Silius was torpedoed and SUM
without warning. A survivor of tn,
French steamer Louisiana, torpedoet
fifteen minutes previously 500 yard
Il away. swore he saw the submarine
There were seven Americans in tn,
crew of the Silius and one was injured
/ Three men. not Americans, lost thei
lives. Germany disclaimed responsible
ity.
The next great passenger ship de.
stroyed was the Dutch liner Tubantia
While in the North sea. sailing for Rie
. de Janeiro. an explosion rent the shiI
asunder, and she sank. Three Ameri.
, cans were passengers. All persons OF
! board were saved except one Russia
i Germany disclaimed responsibility fol
, either its submarines torpedo boats OIL
! mines The Dutch government made
an investigation, which indicated 9
submarine attack; and members of the
Tubantia's crew testified to seeing the
; wake of torpedo, but did not see 3
|, submarine. Public opinion in HOLLAND
was aroused. and for time there were
fears that The Netherlands might b.
forcedinto the war.
On March 16, 1916, the British steame
Berwindvale. with four Americans oil
a board, was torpedoed without warning
:. off Bantry. Ireland, but no lives wer
. lost.
On March "a. 1916. German sub
Y marine chased the Dominion liner Eng
4 lishman bound from Avonmouth 70
= Portland, Me-. and while the crew wa
J attempting to abandon, the ship sho
= away her starboard lifeboats. Afte
: more firing as the crew was leaving tn
!, ship the submarine torpedoed and SUM
among the ten men lost, Many othe
= Americans were on board. havinl
: signed as Canadians One Of the rescue,
. Americana testified that the submarin
: was the U-19.