The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-02-08
Sinking of Liner Recalls
Sussex Case, Which
Caused Protest.
GERMAN CONTENTION
UNACCEPTABLE TO U. S.
American Stand Is That
Vessels Have Right to
Be Armed.
STATUS OF TEUTON
SHIPS UNCHANGED
Will Get Same Protection
as Before Break With
Berlin.

WASHINGTON, Feb. THE destruc.
,ion OF the British liner California
with at least one American on board
by a German submarine in the war
zone, with loss OF life and under cir
cumstances which in a measure vividly
brought back recollections of the Lusi-
tania disaster, has given q more serious
turn to the situation.
AT this rate they will soon make
out their case" was the comment at
the State Department when the news
reached here tonight.
Counsellor Polk telephoned the White
House. The President, after devoting
the day to scrupulous efforts to avoid
any semblance of bringing the crisis
nearer to its fusion point. had left his
study when he got the news. He was
shocked and asked at once for details.
which were not forthcoming. He di-
rected that any subsequent information
be given to him without delay.
The question arose at once as to how
many American lives had been placed
In Jeopardy. On this point there was
confusion and at first no definite news
! The steamship line announced early in
tho evening that there were no Ameri-
cans aboard although the passenger
list showed that many of the pa ssengcrs
gave American cities as their addresses.
number hailed from New York. The
llst showed many women and children
lt was later learned that at least one
| pa ssenger had the right to the protection
or the American flag, having taken out
papers declaring his intention to be-
come citizen of the United States. In
the confusion attending the sinking it
may be several days before the full facts
are learned.
. Case Like That OF sussex
With at least one American among the
crew of the California. as reported late
Tonight by Consul Frost, the case ar
pears to parallel that Of the Sussex,
which occasoned the Presidents note to
! Germany upon which our present stand
/ is based. The Sussex was. however.
I unarmed, while all reports are that the
| California came within the armed mer-
chantman classification which Germany,
even before her latest decree. contended
| gave her the status of IA warshp. there
! fore giving the Germans the right to
! sink such a ship without warning This
contention the American Government had
refused to accept before diplomatic rela-
4 tiops were severed.
The news of the sinking of the Cali
| fornA followed a day characterized by
, determined efforts on the part of Presi-
! dent Wilson to keep the situation from
: growing worse. The fact that Germany
was obviously carrying out her subma-
! rfne campaign with relentlessncss was
! admittedly an ominous sign. Twenty-one
! ships in twenty-four hours was the toll
! OF the U-boats and signs all showed that
| the Submarines were striking right and
| left indscriminately. Neutral ships as
| well as belligerent were falling prey to
| tho torpedocs
| Earlier In the day the State Depar,-
ment heard officially that the American
steamer West wego had been fired at by
| n U-boat and forced to give up oil. This
was. however. regarded as a minor Incl
dent In the rapidly progressing series OF
attacks which are characterizins the sub
marine campaign.
Hope Is Ebbinx Fast.
These attacks have all but removed the
| last vestige Of hope in tho situation.
Little doubt WAS felt to-nieht that Ger
many intended 10 proceed ruthessly with
her submarine campaign and is prepared
to take all consequences. Astonishment
Is not concealed here at the volume and
| unprecedented scope OF her latest SUBJ
marine activities. and this is true of the
| Entente diplomats as well as of the
President and his advisers.
Even while these reports were coming
in President Wilson was still trying in
every way to avoid giving Germany any
grounds for aggressive action. This was
indicated in two specific ways.
The President declined to advise own
ers Of ships flying the American flag
whether or not they should venture
within the war zone, He rcassertcd their
right to enter the zone and suggested
that they take measures to cope with any
unlawful attacks on their own RESPONSE
bility. But he steered clear Of placing
this Government In the position OF max
J ing any warlike move for their protec-
ton on the ground that this would be q
violation of the Governments neutrality
which the President IL striving TO main
. tain intact up to the very limit
| A statement was authorized that this
Government would accord interned Ger
man ships the same rights that they
have enjoyed prior 10 the severance OF
diplomatic relations.
In instances where It was found neces-
sary for the authorities to take action
careful explanation was given that the
seizure of these ships WAS merely in tho
line of police regulations ana not an in-
dication that the ships would be con-
fscated by the Government
Action by the authorities had been
rendered necessary by the whole sale
damaging OF German ships In this coun-
try. Panama and the Far East. The ef-
fort to destroy the German ships al