The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-03-30
Despite q. S. Protests, More
Ships Are Being Sunk.
U-BOAT FIRED ON SURVIVORS
Ambassador Page Reports In
cident in Official Gram.
Submarine Toll Now Averages
Three or Four Ships Daily.
BY ROBERT j. BENDER.

Washington March 3O-Any ex-
pectation that the administration
would recede from its determination
to break off diplomatic relations with
Germany if it is proved a German
submarine attacked the Sussex, was
removed, it was intimated today, by
news of the attack the steamer
Eagle Point. Only prompt and COM
plete settlement of the whole subfna-
rine issue can prevent the threatened
rupture-and there are officials who
believe such a settlement more likely
after relations have beer broken off
than before.
The sinking of the unarmed Eagle
Point. with one American aboard.
simply adds to the proof that a gem
eral underwater campaign. in defiance
of international law has been under
taken. officers believe. If this is 50.
it must end and end quickly. if the
United States is to continue to deal
with Germany. Disavowal OF single
instances will not suffice.
Immediate settlement No Likely.
Immediate cessation of such attacks
and settlement of the submarine issue
in all it's phases, including the abroga-
ton of the armed merchantmen de-
cree of March 1, may prevent the
break But many officials are not
prepared to believe Germany will
make such concessions in short order
For the information of the ;-Ste de-
partment American Ambassador Page
at London today forwarded report
that the British destroyer, which AIDED
in rescuing survivors of the Sussex
had been fired upon twice by a sub
marine Ambassador Page said that
his information was not official but
appeared to be authentic and sent me
report for what it was worth
- State department officials consider
/ that Ambassador Pages information
/ tended to substantiate press reports OF
the alleged attack upon the destroyer
Up to an early hour today no further
affidavits had been received at the
1 state department from survivors OF the
Sussex, the Englishman, the Man
chester Engineer or other vessels ~
which Americans were endangered
New Campaign of Terror.
London. March 3O.-That German
submarines have entered on a new
campaign of terrorism, despite all as
slIrances to the contrary from Berlin
was the view unanimously taken by
officials today.
In the first two weeks of the U-boat
war on armed merchantmen. inaugur-
ated March 1, the submarines pro-
ceeded cautiously apparently under
strict orders froEI Berlin during the
past fortnight sinkings have averaged
/ from three to four ships a day. Ad-
miraIty officials said today they have
positive proof that U-boat comman-
derS have exercised no OlScrinlnatlpu
! but have torpedoed without warning,
numerous unarmed ships, often in the
| darkness
/ Sworn statements concerning re-
| ported attacks on four vessels, aboard
which were Americans, are now on the
I way to Washington. The British
steamer Eagle Point. reported torpe-
doed without warning, entered the
| German American o n T very
! through the fact that Joseph Gleeson,
/ of Boston, was a member of her crew.
The other ships were the Englishman.
| Sussex and Manchester Engineer.
Sussex Dead Horribly MangIed.
The American embassy al Paris to-
| day forwarded to Washington the
sworn statement of Captain MOuffetS
of the channel liner Sussex. that he
saw a torpedo approaching while on
the bridge of the Sussex and tried un-
successfully to maneuver his ship out
of danger.
The torpedo, Captain Mouffett said.
was about 200 yards off. Had he not
swung his ship about, it would have
struck amidship, causing terrible loss
of life. Few lives would have been
lost, he said, if there had been no
ma mic