The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-03-30
SERIOUS CRISIS
tcOntuued from Fir., paxe,


conclusive proof. With such proof
before II. the government probably
would act promptly. Officials refrain
from discussing what the nature OF
the action would be.
The very number OF apparently IN
warranted attacks which recently
nave occurred Is regarded by the ad-
ministration as particularly signifi-
cant The number Is said by officials
10 have disposed OF the theory that
the explosions might have been caused
by mines. Some OF the cases. IL was
pointed out, have occurred in locali-
ties where there is no possibility OF
mine fields having been laid because OF
the depth Of the water. and the dis
lance from shore
Secret instructions.
II became known during the day
that the state department had heard
unofhcially the suggestion that Ger.
man submarine commanders were act
ing under secret instructions. such
a. were advocated BY Grand Admiral
Won Tirpitz, 10 torpedo every vessel
neutral as well as berligerent owned
approaching the British Isles AZ the
United states was advised. the new or
ders 10 submarines which went into
effect March / provided for the at
TACK without warning on all armed
merchantmen OF the entente allies
There has been no official confirmation
whatever OF the secret order renort
However. the number OF disastars
which have overtaken unarmed ner-
chantmen recently. Including those IN
der neutral flags. caused some officials
10 credit the suggestion that orders
Of some kind other than those OF which
me United states is advised are in
effect.
What is described in high admins
trauon circles as the extreme gravity
Of the situation makes II necassar,,
for the United State4 70 proceed with
the utmost care in preparing for the
next step. Especial effort IA being
made 10 have all the essential facts in
each case developed from the best ties
timony and evidence available. Infor.
nation 10 or will be collected through
American conFuls. navy experts. orr
GERS. crews and passengers of shfpu
reported n have been attacked. and
The governments whose flags the shIps
flew
II is assumed that the British. tho
French and the Netherlands goverr.
m"nts viii be quite willing 10 follow
the example set by the Italian govern.
ment in the case Of the Ancons ana
supply the state department upon b.
request with all Information they have
gathered through their own sources
Sussex Is the Pivot
While an the recent cases uraor
investigation viii play important mart
in The final consideration ~ the situ
alton. he caae ~ tho Sussex undoubt.
edly vii form the cardinal feature
Dhci1ls are impressed with the com
plefeness ~ the evidence avaiIabI. r..
gardIng details ~ tho Suager .,rfo.
sion. tho declaration ~ plaasnrar.
That they saw Tho wake Of "a torra1o
and. above all. the fragments of metal
which were found and which h,y.
been described as parts ~ torpedo
These pieces ~ metal viii be examined
hv American experts
s dispatch from Ambassador Ger.
arb reporting fhr result nf irguf-f..
h. had been directed to make mo.
martarlf "a. expected furilhf o.
.s presumed that tho inquiries alraae,
l7v" been made They concerned mo
cases 81 tho SUSSEX the EurnaHmsr
and Pho Manchester Engineer
'DHhf won Bern TORT fhr German
'. taHsador returned to WASHINGTON
.H...lt from VISIT to S.N Yurl u.
..l Do" bad no word OF amy kind from
.. government relating to mo recent
|.t,'oru
IIr Official Information r.r,trr...
.. sinking OF rho fH.Ir Point vn.
contained Tn dispatch received Ia...
. IHn dav from Consul F-n.t st
b"''r. Town ThI. read .. fur.va.
s. British framer ra.I. Point t.r
In"d yesterday without Hunu.
..n hundred r..|. r... |... g..