DEPARTMENT OF STATE.

256 SUBMABINE WAKFAEE.
marine took up the pursuit and kept the steamer under
gunfire to prevent flight. It was observed during the
pursuit that the steamer gave out wireless signals as to
its position and the pursuit by the submarine in order
to attract help.
At about 11.20 o'clock it was perceived that the speed
of the steamer was decreasing and following this that
boats were lowered. Hereupon the firing was immediately
stopped. It is a matter of course that no shots
were fired at the lifeboats. This is also confirmed by
the fact that nobody in the boats was injured.
The submarine was now still about 2,000 meters away
from the steamer and observed that a signal was hoisted
on the steamer which did not however blow clear and
therefore could not be made out. It was not until later
that it was learned from the captain that he had caused
the signal "I surrender the ship" to be hoisted. According
to his own testimony the signal was hoisted
furled by an excited seaman so that it could not be
made out.
Upon approaching closer three large boats containing
the crew were found and a small gig in which the captain
of the steamer sat alone with only one scull; he had been
deserted by the crew when the ship was struck by several
shells and as the last man on board had lowered this
boat alone; he was taken from it on board the submarine.
He there stated "The steamer Rowanmore was struck 10
times, the last shot hitting the stern and apparently
damaging the screw." No one of the crew was injured
in the shooting.
It was then ascertained that the Rowanmore was on a
voyage from Baltimore to Liverpool. The ship was sunk.
The position was latitude 51 degrees 25 minutes north,
longitude 12 degrees 50 minutes west.
In the meantime a cloud of smoke came into sight
which proved to be the column of smoke from a destroyer,
which was rapidly coming towards the submarine. The
safety of the crew of the steamer was thus guaranteed.
In view of the destroyer the submarine submerged and
made off.
The German Government begs to point out on this
occasion that the difficult situation in which some American
citizens were involved during this occurrence is not
attributable to the action of the submarine, which kept
entirely within the bounds of international law, but to
the attitude of the English ship, which persistently attempted
to escape until it had lost its mobility.
The undersigned avails himself of this opportunity to
renew to the Charge 1 d'Affaires of the United States of
America the assurances of his distinguished consideration.
(sigd.) v. JAGOW.