South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-04-17
Good Faith of German Gov
eminent is Seriously Cues
toned in Reply to KaiSer'S
Denial in Sussex Case.
NO LONGER TO ACCEPT
PLEAS I'm ABATEMENT"
Wilson Goes Over Note to Give
Final PoIiSh-Chairmen
+. Stone and Flood to
Examine Message.
Internatsupal News &c

f1nternat5Oual News Service.
WASHINGTON. April II. - The
information Of the United States.
which proves the president and his
advisers believe. that Germany
promises and pledges that subma-
rine warfare will be conducted in
accordance with international law.
have been ruthlessly violated The
American note is ready with the
exception OF the final polishing now
being given II by Pres't Wilson. II
states the issue in explicit terms and
makes = plain that this government
will no longer be satisfied with pleas
in abatement or promises Of good
faith. The ISSUE is placed squarely
before Germany. IF that government
insists that its last note 10 the
United States is an exact statement
of the facts and that II intends con-
tinuing Its present campaign. a dip
lomatic break cannot be avoided II
now is up 10 the kaisers govern
ment."
This was today's position i'm the
submarine controversy as outlined
by white house officials The situa-
ton hardly could be more grave.
they said. The only lightning OF
the clouds is the reiteration in press
dispatches from Berlin that the
German government is ready TO
make concessions Ito meet the views
OF the United States" But these
concessions must be more than mere
form officials say. They must be
assurances that cannot be violated
by individuals. otherwise the exist
ing friendly relations between the
two governments are certain TO be
interrupted.
Good Faith Questioned.
The only changes made In the
note. officials say. as the result of
the confidential communications sent
20 Pres't Wilson by Ambassador
Gerard have been the elimination OF
a few phrases and the transportation
Of several sentences. The note still
charges that German good faith is
Under serious question as the result
or the action OF many submarine
commanders and IL recites the de-
tails or the various instances which
the administration holds proves be-
yond reasonable doubt that unarmed
merchant ships have been sunk
without warning.
Omcials made no effort 10 dis
guise their fears today. They in
sisted that the advices from Berlin
seemed 20 Indicate that the presi-
dent was expected to leave the issue
open to discussion. The contrary is
the case. they say. a few who have
been coupling the Mexican situation
with the original German attitude Of
seeming defiance. expressed the
hope that the report that Villa was
dead may prove influential i'm shap-
ing the new German course But
the majority OF these officials ad-
mitted that they had absolutely
nothing upoI which 90 base such a
view
Does Not Call for Answer.
Chairmeu Stone and Flood OF the
senate and house Foreign relations
committees. expected 90 see the pres
ident later today and 10 take up with
him the text Of the communication
In this connection administration Of
hcials at the capitol explained that
the note so far as they were able O.
learn does not call for specific
answer. IL makes plain the belief of
the United States that promises have
been violated. sets forth the varIou.
instances upon which this belief 4.
based. and then insists chat the
United States neutral nation
cannot be expected further 10 over.
sauit upon It's rights. The SUSSEX
attack is declared To have beer
proved beyond question and the
German answer I'm this connection ].
used To show wins the administra.
ton believes 10 proved And while
there is no distinct and specin,
threat. n IS understood that the
communication sets forth that IN,
next violation by German sub.
marine Of any rights or the United
States automatically must mean
complete diplomatic break
The report Of the American Con
SUI Hurst ar Barcelona regardinl
the attack upon th@ Russian shiI
Imperator. is not expected 20 b,
considered az the present An Aus
trian. not n German submarine wa
responsible and the fact that tbs
vessel was shelled. even though 10 d
said the shellinE was without warn
ing" Is considered by officials 20 i'm
dictate that the ship may have fail
ed 20 respond 90 the signals OF tbs
submarine In any event. however
n Is explained. complete investisa
ton viii have 90 be made befOr,
this government can act