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النشر الإلكتروني

The Embassy is instructed to bring the case to the Foreign Minister's attention, and to ask for an immediate investigation and report upon this sinking of an American vessel.

No. 1654.]

Ambassador Penfield to the Secretary of State.

[Telegram-Paraphrase.]

AMERICAN EMBASSY, Vienna, January 23, 1917.

Mr. Penfield reports that the Minister for Foreign Affairs had stated that, according to the data furnished by the Austro-Hungarian naval authorities, the steamship Chemung was on the 26th of last November stopped near Gataby, the submarine hailing her hoisting the signal "bring ship's papers on board" and at the same time firing a wide warning shot across her bow. The weather was fine and almost calm. No steps being taken to lower a boat after the first shot, notwithstanding a lengthy interval, a second shot was fired across her bow. The signal was easily recognizable, the distance between the submarine and the Chemung being about three thousand meters. The Chemung then sent a boat with its first officer carrying the ship's papers, which showed that the cargo consisted of war material for Italy. The ship's officer was then notified that the ship would have to be sunk. He was then asked if there was any ammunition on board, and his answer indicated there was none, but only blasting caps in the cargo. The term "blasting caps" being unknown on the submarine no especial investigation was made, since it was assumed that if explosives were involved the officer questioned would have at least added a more explanatory remark, such as "dynamite." The signal "leave the ship" was then hoisted and the boat returned to the ship. The entire crew had already made preparation to leave, and upon entering the boats carried with them their hats, overcoats, walking sticks, and packed valises. It was clearly in evidence that the matter of abandoning the ship had already been considered by the crew, and therefore all preparations had been made. The boats, after having been launched, were rowed away to a considerable distance. To sink the ship from leeward was the first intention, but the submarine being then too close to the ship after firing two shots in its

stern other shots were fired from windward at a distance of about one hundred meters. After two or three shells had been fired the entire steamer suddenly blew up with a violent explosion. The falling of débris and the mainmast did no damage to the lifeboats containing the Americans or the submarine, notwithstanding their proximity. A suspicion was at once aroused that the Americans had purposely refrained from mentioning the fact that explosives were aboard the vessel, and the Captain asked how explosives happened to be on board. He was told that the explosion was caused by "blasting caps," which were made of dynamite. The two boats were then towed by the submarine and conducted to a coast, distant about fifty nautical miles. The boats were cast off when about three nautical miles from shore, as an unknown steamer appeared at a distance of about four thousand meters and steering directly for the submarine, which submerged. A cargo steamer stopped and took on the crew of the Chemung, besides picking up the boats.

In submitting the above report the naval section of the AustroHungarian Ministry of War add that it would be remiss if it failed to state, according to its opinion, that the crew of the Chemung in any event intended to damage the submarine. The Minister for Foreign Affairs refers to the order of the Austro-Hungarian prize court of November 28, 1914, and says, "It is of course understood that a neutral government is at liberty to resort to diplomatic channels if it finds itself unable to accept a decision of the prize court of last instance as satisfactory. The Imperial and Royal Government would be able to take a position in the matter of the treatment of persons found on board a prize because this question does not belong to the competency of the prize courts."

Mr. Penfield adds that a copy of the note would be sent by pouch, which would leave Vienna upon January 25th.

3. MISCELLANEOUS LIST OF VESSELS ATTACKED.1 [NOTE. The damaging of the American steamers Seaconnet and Goldshell has been reported to the Department.]

The Department has also received reports of attacks on vessels of other than American registry, with Americans on board as follows:

1 This list does not include vessels printed as separate cases.

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