Evening star., 1941-06-14
Robin Moor
Continued From First PageD

was current few days ago that a
radio broadcast purporting to ema-
nate from Italy had announced
that some Robin Moor survivors
including two women and a child
had arrived at an Italian port.
The State Department asked
American Ambassador William
Phillips in Rome to investigate and
has received reply that the Italian
Ministry of Marine categorically de-
MED that any Robin Moor survivors
have landed in Italy and expressed
the conviction that the broadcast
did not originate in Italy.
Mr.. Welles discussed the Robin
Moor incident at the State Depart
ment press conference today in the
absence of Secretary of State Hull,
who has been confined TO his hotel
apartment this week by what was
described aS a slight cold
Legislators Back Protest.
Widespread congressional support
appeared to be developing, mean
while. for whatever protests and de-
mands the State Department may
dispatch to Germany as a result of
the sinking of the Robin Moor, the
Associated Press reported.
Senate Majority Leader Barkley
said he thought protest note ought
to be sent Immediately and asserted
he found 1t hard to believe the sub
marine commander sank the ves-
sci without some advice from
higher authority"
A leading critic of administration
foreign policy. Senator Wheeler,
Democrat, of Montana described the
incident as something I would de-
nounce" He said, however, he
thought "at least we ought to await
an explanation before we jump at
conclusions-if there is an explana-
ton"
Glass Favors Reprisals.
Senator Glass, Democrat, of Vir-
ginia declared that If it was proved
beyond question that Germany was
responsible for the sinking "thty
ought to be made to pay for it,"
You know what my views are"
he told newsmen. Il think we ought
to go over there and shoot hell out
of every U-boat. I've said that be-
fore and I still believe it."
In well-informed quarters, it was
predicted that Secretary of State
Hull'S first move would be to dis
patch to Berlin a note of strong pro-
test citing Germany's treaty pledges
governing the sinking of merchant
ships and also asking an immediate
and fortnight explanation of the
Robin Moor incident.
In the same communication. it
was said, Secretary Hull may de-
mand indemnification for American
lives and property lost, as we'll as
guarantees against future attacks
on merchantmen flying the Amer
ican flag.
Only IL crewmen and passengers,
picked up by the Brazilian vessel
Ozorio, have been rescued. Thirty
five others are still missing.
Bringing Official Report.
Whatever action Secretary Hull
and President Roosevelt decide on
will be taken after the scheduled
arrival here Monday of Philip P.
Williams, secretary of the American
Embassy in Rio de Janeiro. He is
bringing the official report OF Will
liam j. Linthicum, American Consul
at Pernambuco, Brazil, who OBJ
tanned from the II survivors their
dramatic accounts of the sinking.
Mr.. P. Williams left by airplane
for Miami today with dispositions
and pictures. The photos were
taken at the time of the sinking by
survivors among the II now await
ing transportation to the United
States.
A brief preliminary report by Mr..
Linthicum earlier this week gave
the gist of these stories, identified
the undersea craft as a German
vessel and told how those aboard
the Robin Moor had been forced to
put out in four open lifeboats hum
dreds of miles from the safety of
land or rescue vessels.
On the basis of this information
the United States yesterday branded
Germany a treaty violator and
claimed the evidence was sufficient
to justify any measures necessary
to enforce the doctrine of freedom
of the seas recently reasserted by
the President.
In congressional circles, there was
increasing speculation that Amer.
lean merchant vessels would be
armed against submarine Or air At