THE GERMAN SUBMARINE SENSATION OFF NANTUCKET

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2899, 11 October 1916, Page 5

THE GERMAN SUBMARINE SENSATION OFF NANTUCKET

WHAT AMERICA IS THINKING - STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT WILSON (By Telegraph—Rcess Association—Copyright). Australian-N«w Zealand, Cable Association. Now York, October 9. President Wilson has made tho following statement in connection with tie Gorman submarine attacks: — "The German Government will be held to the complete fulfilment of its promises to the United States. The Government will first ascertain all the facts." . After conferring with President Wilson at Longbrancb, Count Bernstorff, the German Ambassador to the United States, declared that Germany will abide by her. promises regarding submarine'warfare. [Replying,' on May 4, 1916, to the American Note of April 19, Germany promised as a "further concession" that submarine commanders would act in accordance with the principles of International Law, both within and without the war zone; that is, no ship anywhere should be sunk without warning, and without saving the lives of those on board unless she attempted to escape or offered resistance.!] t MORE "WATCHFUL WAITING." .—' Washington, October 9, . The Secretary of State (Mr. Lansing) announces that the Government will not'ihterfere with the German submarines unless International Law is broken. ' Hitherto no breaches of the law have been discovered. ©outer's Telegram.) Washington, October 9. The submarine raid is not regarded with, apprehension, though it is realised that it may develop perplexing questions. In the general opinion, there is little disposition to believe that American interests are menaced. Germany is apparently following her pledge to keep submarine warfare within International Law by warning the passengors. _ It is pointed out that geographical proximity could not impair the legality of properly-conducted sea warfare, and these attacks mark the opening of a campaign in the Wostorn Atlantic. The Stato officials believe that possibly half a dozen submarines are operating, with a supply ship of the Deutschland typo.

A REMARKABLE DISPATCH FROM BERLIN

Australian-New Zealatid Cable Association. New York, October 9. In some quarters it is believed that the depredations of U53 are the final German bluff to keep up Germany's courage on tho eve of an appeal for peace. This interpretation follows a remarkable telegram from the Berlin correspondent of the United Press, replying to a request for a statement regarding last week's German peace reports. The dispatch, which was passed by the German censor, says"lt is not impossible that Mr. Gerard is conveying peace proposals to America. It is believed that now is tho time for Washington to make peace, which only Washington can do, because she possesses great influence in London and Paris. Now is tho psychological moment, for if jieace does not come now the war must last another year, as the winter campaign is prepared. An armistice is not mentioned, but it is believed that President Wilson can appeal to the Powers to send representatives to Washington to negotiate peace while the war continues." NEW YORK PRESS OPINION New York, October 9. The "New York Herald" says:—"Practically, tho neutrality of the United States has been grossly violated. It is the highest duty of the Government to go any length to end Prussian warfare in American waters without a day's delay. Other papers are of opinion that the Germans are facing certain defeat on land, and are adopting tactics of desperation at sea. It is believed that U53 is of the latest type. She has a cruising radius on the surface of 10,000 miles, and a surface speed of eighteen knots. She carries two 4-inch guns. CRcutcr's TcloEram.)

, New York, October 9. Tho newspapers agree that tho visit of tho submarino is intended_ with a double object—an audacious shaking of tho fist in the face of Americans, and- tho accomplishment of as much destruction as possible; also the Gormans without doubt, wish to influence the Presidential elections. The "New York Tribune" comments on _the position by saying that tho United States is faced with a now and serious problem, and has visions of tho paralysis of her foreign trade. It is believed that Great Britain will hold America responsible. "Tho brazen , effrontery of tho submarine's call on the American naval officers makes America's position in tho world ridiculous" EFFECT IN WALL STREET Australian-New Zealand Cablo Association. New York, October 9., There wero declines on the Stock Exchange to-day, following the appearance of TJS3. Stocks depreciated five to sixteen points. Thcro were also declines in Chicago wheat by three points. The Stock Exchange and the wheat market later recovered. ALL SURVIVORS OF THE KNOWN "VICTIMS" ACCOUNTED FOR New York, Octobcr 9. All those who wero aboard the known victims of U53 have been accounted for, except the crew of the Kingston, which was possibly rescued by an outward bound steamer. Tiro hundred and sixteen survivors have been landed at' Newport News. Many were taken to the homes of millionaire members of the Slimmer Colony, who organised a. temporary relief system. NINE VESSELS SEEN TO BE SUNK fßeuter's Folepram.) (Rec. October 10, 6.15 p.m.) .New York, October 9. The captain of the Nantucket lightship slates that nine vessels were sunk oil Sunday, but the names of only six have been obtained. In one instance American destroyers were so thick on the scene that the commander of the German submarine asked two of tßem To male way, to allow him to blow up his prey without damaging others. THE ATTACK ON THE S'I'EPHANO. Newport, October 9. . Survivors t from the Red Cross Company's steamer Stepha.no, who have arrived, describe their experience when tha ship was torpedoed. Miss Miza~ ,batii Butler, of Sb. Johns, said: "Wa had just sat down to supper;, when

suddenly wo heard a, shot, and someone called out: "fho abip has been fired upon.' Then I heard the captain shout: 'Everyone put on life-presorvers.' I went below deck, and donned a coat and life-preserver. I had no time to take my belongings, as the officers urged the'utmost liastn. As wo went over the side we knew that a submarine had stopped the ship, though 6omo could hardly believe it. I lost ISO dollars—all my savings." .A. C. Tickell, tho chef on tho Stcphano, celebrated his third experience of being on a. submarined ship when the Stephano was attacked. .He was on board the Marquette, which was submarined in tho Dardanelles, and also on board tho Manitou, which was submarined oil Malta. ('Rec. October 10, 6.15 p.m.) New York, October 3. The passengers on the Stephano dcclaro that they wcro attacked by U6I. The ca.ptain of the lightship heard a submarino fire three shots at tho Stcphano. None of these hit. The Stophano .lowered her boats and transferred tho passengers to the torpedo boats which were standing by. Officers from an American destroyer boarded the Stephano, and ascertained that the passengers and. crow were safo. Then the submarine crew bearded her, and opened her sea-cocks. ARMED LINERS TO SAIL AS USUAL (Rec. October 10, 6.15 p.m.) New York, October 5). Tho officials of the Cunard, French, and Italian lilies declare that their vessels, which carry guns, will sail as usual MR, GERARD APPROACHING DANGEROUS WATERS (Reo. October 10, 6.15 p.m.) Now Yorkj October 9. The steamer Frederick VIII, with Mr. Gerard (the United States Ambassador to Germany, en. route to Washington), on board, is reported three hundred miles off Nantucket. _ _ Three warships of tho Allies are off Nantucket, and also American patrol vessels, their object being the protecting of neutrality and the effecting of rescues. A FEATURE OF THE GERMAN COMMENT Amsterdam, October 9. The most interesting feature of the German comment on the doings of U53 is the absence of references to the Bremen, the misgivings regarding whose fate have doubtless been drowned by the exultation over the exploits of U53. SEA PIRACIES AT HOME ""*■ (Edc. October '10, 10.55 p.m.) London, Octoher 10. Reuter's correspondent states that the Norwegian ship Rcsham and the British ships Sidonia and Jupitor have been sunk by a submarine. The crew of the Eesharn was resoued.