Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1916-04-09
WAS SUSSEX
TORPEDOED
BY TEUTONS?
Persistent Attacks Are Reported
in the Regions of Bethan-
court.
OFFICIAL STATEMENTS
ARE VERY CONFLICTING
Uncle Samuel Placed in Position
of Judge in Case in Court
Of Law.

London, April S.-Persistent at
tempts by the Germans to reduce the
salients in the French lines north
west OF Verdun are resulting in steady
progress for the operations. Attacks
are being driven home on both sides
of the salient, at the northern angle
of which lies the village Of Bethin'
court, but more particularly on the
western edge in the vicinity Of Hau'
court.
Berlin reports the capture of two
strong points of support to the south
of Haucourt, which passed recently
into German hands, and an entire
French position along front OF more
than mile and a quarter, coming in
to Teutonic possession. Paris has ad.
mitted German advances here, but de-
clares that on the opposite side Of
the salient the advantage in the re-
cent fighting has been with the
French.
On the eastern front there have
been no operations OF major import.
ance. SO far as. the official report
Shows. ~.
Violent fighting is taking place on
the Austro.italian front, the Austriars
being on the aggressive in several
sectors, and reporting considerable
successes, with the capture of numer-
pus prisoners.
~, Three Austrian aeroplanes, which
Mere. Fart of & squadron which, raided
railroad. stations back of the hostile
line, failed to return TO their base and
apparently have fallen victims to the
Italians fire. o..
Paris reports the sinking Of an Aus.
trian transport in the sAdriatic by a
French submarine. A Berlin dispatch
states that the German government is
able 70 announce that 10 German sub
marine was responsible for the ex.
plosion which damaged the cross
channel steamer, Sussex.
DiseIaims Summarizing Sussex.
Germany's disclaimer of the respOn'
sibility for the destruction of the
channel steamer, Sussex, surrounds
the submarine situation with further
difficulties and may turn action, if any
be taken from the Sussex case itself.
to the accumulation of ships destroy
ed without warning since Germany
gave assurances governing the sub
marine campaign.
Gather More Evidence.
Before the next step is taken. the
collection of evidence intended to
prove legally that the Sussex was de-
stroyed by German submarine will
have to proceed further. Additional
evidence in the form of affidavits and
statements gathered by the American
ON h,c in, Dor ic
steamer, St. Paul, due in New York
tomorrow, and will be in President
Wilson's hands Monday.
Discussion Expected Soon.
The situation will be discussed at
Tuesdays cabinet meeting and then
decision is expected.
The apparent difficulties of proving
the Sussex case alone leaves many
officials close to the President to be-
lieve the situation will hinge on ac-
cumulative evidences that Germany's
promises are being disregarded by
her commanders. Upon the strength
of that evidence, as it is finally judged
by the president and cabinet, will de.
pend what steps, if any, the United
States will take at this time.
Uncle Sam, Judge.
The United States was described
officially tonight as being placed in
the position of a Judge of court of
law. Upon the evidence decision
will be reached and the United States
will be absolutely sure that it stands
upon firm ground beyond rendering
the decision. The final decision will
be rendered by President Wilson. 1t
is likely, if drastic action is called for,
congress will be consulted.
While it will be difficult for the
United States to question the good
faith of Germany, the administration
is prepared 20 act upon circumstan-
tial evidence Of sufficient strength,
should it be secured. All the evidence
thus far indicates that the Sussex was
torpedoed. There are two weakness.
es in the case of the United States,
however One is that no American
citizen saw the wake Of the torpedo.
The other is that there is, as far as
known, no conclusive evidence at this
time that the metal fragments, said
to be part of German torpedo,
actually were removed from the Sus-
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