Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-06-13
Robin Moor Torpedoin9 Broke
Sub Treaty, We||es Intimotes;
Germany Implies New Threat
Facts on Sinking
Beyond Dispute,
Official Says
b the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
Undersecretary of State Sum-
ner Welles asserted today that
the facts in the sinking of the
Robin Moor were beyond dispute,
and indirectly accused Germany
of violating an international
treaty on submarine warfare.
The evidence of IL survivors of the
sunken American merchant vessel
was very clear and there could be
no dispute as to the facts. Mr.. Welles
told his press conference.
AS to what action the United
States will take, he said he would
withhold a considered statement I'M
til the full dispositions of the II
survivors were received from Amer
lean officials in Brazil and were
investigated here.
An account of their testimony,
however, issued by the State De-
partment yesterday, charged that
the Robin Moor was sunk in the
South Atlantic on May 81 by Ger
man submarine which gave the pas
sengers and crew 80 minutes to
abandon the vessel before it was
torpedoed and shelled.
Berlin won't Be Buffaloed."
Mr. Welles was asked for comment
on the statement of German
spokesman in Berlin that I'VE won't
be buffaloed by American and
English discussions concerning the
Robin Moor" and that whenever
any ship with contraband sails for
England we'll shoot at it,
Mr.. Welles replied that the ques-
ton of what constitutes contraband
Is one of the most controversial in
all the world and that the American
Government had never acquiesced
In contraband definitions of either
side in the present war.
On Berlin, authorized sources
said also that many ships going
to England already had been
sunk and Germany was in no
hurry to participate in discussions
on the sinking of the Robin
Moor.D
What the United States does
stand on very firmly, Mr.. Welles
asserted, is that both Germany
and the United States are parties
to an international agreement
entered into in 1880 under which
submarines are bound to take I
proper precautions to insure the r.
safety of crews and passengers
of any merchant ship before it
is sunk.
In the case of the Robin Moor,
Mr.. Welles declared the facts speak
for themselves.
Refers to 1880 Treaty.
Mr.. Welles was referring to a
provision of the 1880 London Naval
Treaty which requires that SUBJ
marines insure the safety of crews
and passengers and states that life
boats shall not be considered a
sufficient measure of safety except
when they are in proximity to land.
Thirty-flve persons from the Robin
Moor are still missing in three life
boats.
Survivors were quoted as saying
the submarine left the As passengers
and creWmen in open lifeboats hun
dreds of miles from land.
Mr.. Welles was asked how the
Robin Moor incident might affect
President Roosevelts recent reas-
sertion of the doctrine of freedom
of the seas. The Presidents state
ment spoke for itself, was the reply.
Mr.. Welles emphasized that every
detail on the sinking which the
State Department had received had
been made available to the public
and this practice would be con-
tinued.
He said there was nothing more
important than that the people of
the United States have all the facts
in the case.
Strong Protest to Be Made.
Meanwhile, it was learned author
itatively that the United States will
lodge vigorous protest with Ger
many on the sinking of the Robin
Moor, citing the evidence of sur
vivors that the vessel was torpedoed
deliberately by Nazi U-boat.
The State Department s note, in
formed quarters predicted. will also
demand that restitution be made for
(See ROBIN MOOR, Page A-14)
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