Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-03-28
PREPARATION WILL Be
COMPLETE IF BLAME
ISPUT ON SUBMARINE
Commander viii Be Punished
and United States viii Be
Satisfied Act Was Violation
of Instructions
CBy Associated Press


WASHINGTON. March 27.-It was
stated authoritstively here today that
should IL be shown that a German sub
marine attacked the Sussex, Germany
would disavow the act, offer repsration,
punish the submarine commander and
satisfy the United States that the act
was in violation OF instructions
II was also stated authOritatively that
the German ambassador, Count Won
Bernstorff. was mainly responsible for
tie recent retirement OF Grand Admiral
Won Tirpitz, who is understood TO have
been eliminated because OF his views
on submarine warfare after Count Won
Bernstorff had made certain recon-
msndations TO the imperial chancellor,
Won Bethmann-Hollweg.
Chairman Stone, OF the foreign rela-
tons committee. said, after seeing Pres
ident Wilson. that all facts would be
awaited before action was taken, and
that in their absence he refused TO eX-
press an opinion.
While President Wilson and other Of
ncfaIs do not underestimate the posi-
biIities OF the new situation they real
ize that breaking of OF diplomatic rela-
tIOns with Germany almost certainly
would mean war, and for that reason
each step will be carefully considered
The president was in communication
with Secretary Lansing and urged
speedy gathering OF facts.
Senators and representatives who
called at the White House reflected the
view that the situation was serious.
FIND PART OF TORPEDO.
Consular Agent Whitman at Boulogue
reported today that he was informed by
French officials that pa piece OF bronze.
resembling part OF a torpedo had been
found on the channel liner Sussex
state department officials said they
mad no Information that any other than
German submarines were operating in
the vicinity in which the Sussex was
attacked. All agents in the vicinity
were being urged today TO gather con-
elusive evidence from all possible
agencies
American officials view the submarine
situation as taking on aspects OF much
gravity. The possibility of breaking
on diplomatic relations with Germany
is again being discussed as one OF the
eventualities which Is expected TO fol-
low il IL is shown the steamers Sussex
and Englishman were victims of sub
marines.
OFFICIALS ARE UNEASY.
officials say they are examining all
the facts at hand with open minds, and
can come to no conclusion before they
have additional information. but there
is an undercurrent of unsasiness over
The possibility that German submarines
have renewed their activities against
passenger-carrying ships In violation o.
the assurance given 10 the United
states.
All administration officials refrained
today from making definite statements
as TO future action or from having ans
definite statement go out with the sane
ton of being official but there was no
concealing that everywhere the new sit
uation was regarded as very delicate
The impression was general that if il
SHOULD b. established that the ships
we're victims of submarines and Presi-
dent Wilson decided to take action ne
rirst would consult congress.
Until the government has some def
mite action. on which TO take steps the
issue is beclouded by a lack Of informa-
ton. or by conflicting statements.
American consular officers and the
embassies in France and England are
being urged TO gather evidence of a de-
Unite and legal sort and when this is at
hand President Wilson and Secretary
Lansing will determine what the next
step will be
Meanwhile the situation can only be
described as a waiting one.
NO AMERICANS LOST.
The following dispatch was received
here from Paris today.
Detailed information gathered by the
American embassy here indicates that
no Americans lost their lives on tho
Sussex
'AH the Americans whose names were
on the passenger list have now been ac-
counted for, the embassy states. II il
possible. however. that there may have
been among the passengers some Amer
leans whose names were not inscribed.
II II is established that either of
the vessels was torpedoed by a Ger
man submarine, the United States would
regard the act as a most fragrant viola
ton Of the rights OF humanity. the pTin-
cipIss OF international law and Of as
surances given by Germany regarding
the conduct of submarine warfare.
Latest official information AT the
state department was a dispatch from
the American embassy at London for
wsrdiug sffidsvits from Edward S. HuS-
lev and Francis Z. Drake, New York
survivors. swearing the explosion on the
sussex occurred without the slightest
warning and srediting the ships com
manner with saving he saw a torpedo