The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-03-30
CONGRESS TO ACT
ON SHIP ATTACK
PUTS SUBMARINE CUES.
4. TON UP TO LAWMAKERS.
BERLIN WILL OlsAVOW The ACT
Ambassador Won 5ernstorff Asserts
Germans VIII Punish Commander
Paris Says All Americans
.-,1. Are Safe. .....'..

Washington March 2S.--R was au
thoritatively stated that the president
would communicate the situation fully
to congress before taking any definite
steps which might lead to a rupture
of diplomatic relations as a result Of
the attacks on the steamers Sussex
and Englishman. l. ..... E.. ..-. ..
f.t 3 Berlin TO DisayoW Act. .'.,
It was stated authoritatively here
that should 1t be shown that a German
submarine attacked the Sussex, Ger
many would disayow the act, offer
reparation, punish the submarine com
mander and satisfy the United States
that the act was In violation OF instruc'
lions. rs ..u .s vs.. ~
1t was also stated authoritatively
that the German ambassador Count
Won Bernstorff, was mainly responsible
for the recent retirement OF Grand Ad'
miral Won Tirpitz. who is understood
to have been eliminated because of his
views on submarine warfare after
Count Won Bernstorff had made certain
recommendations to the imperial chan
cellor, Won Bethmann.H ollweg.
Rernstorff Sent Word.
According to information here, the
ambassador was advised that Admiral
Tirpitz proposed to conduct relent-
less submarine campaign against all
shipping to British ports. and was
asked what, in his opinion, would be
the effect of such a campaign upon
neutral nations, particularly the United
States. - .-...
The ambassadors reply Ia said to
have been an important factor in the
retirement of the admiral.
Knowing these, facts, and the atti-
tude of the German government, Teu-
tonic officials are certain that IL sub
marine was concerned in the Sussex
disaster. the imperial government will
do everything in its power to satisfy
the United States.
1t was made clear, however. that the
German embassy believes mine and
not torpedo. damaged the channel
steamer, and that the German govern
ment may. issue q statement, &c.,.
Chairman Stone OF the foreign rela.
lions committee said, after seeing
President Wilson. that all facts would
be awaited before action was taken
and that in their absence he refused to
express an opinion. While President
Wilson and other officials do not I'M
derestimate the possibilities Of the
new situation, they realize that break
ing of of diplomatic relations with
Germany almost certainly would mean
war and for that reason this step
would be carefully considered.
The president was in communication
with Secretary Lansing during the day
and urged speedy gathering of facts
regarding the Sussex and Englishman.
Senators and representatives who
called at the White House reflected
the view that the situation was seri-
GUS.
Consular Agent Whitman at Bou-
logne reported that he was informed
by French officials that piece of
bronze resembling a part Of a tor.
pedO had been found on the channel
liner Sussex.
Struck by Torpedo.
Dover, March 28.-That the channel
boat Sussex was struck by an enemy
torpedo" was the finding of coroners
jury at an inquest, over the bodies OF
victims brought here.
No Americans Lose Lives.
Paris, France, March 28.-Detailed
information gathered by the American
embassy here indicates that no Ameri.
cans lost their lives on the Sussex.
All the Americans whose names were
on the passenger list have been &C.
counted for, the embassy says. 1t il
possible, however, that there may have
been, among the passengers some
Americans whose names were not In.
scribed.
Information Obtain. 4 by. the en-
bassy indicates that two or three
Americans In the Sussex were injured
dangerously. The delay In gathering
full details is due to the fact that Bou-
logne is In the war zone, cut off from
telegraphic communication for civil
ians..
49, ~ Wisconsin Man injured.
London, England, March 2S.-Ot the
three American survivors Of the Sus.
sex who are In hospital at Dover,
only one-George Croker of Fitch
burg. Mass.--is In serious condition.
Hfa skull was fractured nv a falling
mast. He regained consciousness and
his physician believes be will recover.
Joshua d. Armitage OF New York
and wilder Penfield of Hudson, Wis,
are suffering from shock and bruises.
but are not seriously injured.
Work Of Rain.