The Washington herald., 1916-03-27

as likely to force a hnal reckoning
Break Likely If Torpcdoed.
This governments action will depend
on whether the Sussex was torpedOed or
mined. II torpedOed, it is thought GER
tain something will be done to hold Ger
many to accountability. as. so far as is
known, only German submarines have
been operating in the war zone around
the British Isles
II the facts show the Sussex was tor
pedoed. it was stated on highest au-
thority yesterday, break in diplomatic
relations with Germany probably would
follow
1t was definitely stated, however. that
before taking final steps toward sever
ing relations. the President will advise
Congress Of his intention, and a change
In his plans may result.
The State Department yesterday re-
ceiyed an extended report from Ambas-
sadoF Page at London transmitting the
Joint affidavit Of Edward IL Huxley
and Francis F. Drake, Of New York.
who quoted an officer Of the British ship
that received them as stating that the
captain Of the Sussex reported having
seen the wake of the torpedo.
Miss Baldwin Found Unconscious.
The Page report said that three Ameri-
cans were seriously Injured. They were:
Miss Elizabeth Baldwin, OF Baltimore,
taken unconscious on a rescuing boat an
hour after the explosion.
Wilder c. PenfeId. Of Hudson Wis,
a Rhodes scholar at Oxford.
George Herbert Crocker. jr, Of Fitch
a hospital corps.
Another report from Ambassador Sharp
at Paris, quoted the American consular
agent at Dieppe. France, as stating that
the Sussex was torpedoed. Ambassador
Sharp also gave a report as to informa-
tiOn furnished him by Samuel Bemis, a
Harvard graduate, who made sworn
disaster.
TOrpcdo's Wake Plain.
Bemis is quoted in cabled interview
as saying he saw a torpedo coming
toward the steamer; the wake was plain
y and Enthusiastically visible"
State Department officials said the
Bemis affidavit was not received with
Ambassador Sharp's message today. Ii
he repeats in sworn affidavit what he
said in newspaper interviews officials adj
proof Of torpedo attack
The department gave out the text oil
the affidavit sworn to before a secretary
OF the American Embassy in London by
Huxley and Drake, and forwarded to the
department by American Ambassador
Page. It follows:
At five minutes past three when we
were about an hour and a half from
Folkstone we were seated on the deck
talking, little less than half way back
on the stsrboard side. Without the
slightest warning there occurred a loud
roaring explosion. wreckage and tons
OF water were thrown into the air higher
than the masts, and the water came
down on the boat as far back as the
stern. We went forward and saw the
entire forward part OF the ship includ.
ing part OF the bridge and the forward
mast gone. Some men and women jump
ed overheard at once. and we threw over
RATS and seats to them. We then went
to help the women into the life boats and
afterward to help the wounded out OF
the debris.
Launched Six Boats.
We saw at least fifteen severity
wounded and helped with five ourselves,
Among these were DR.. Penfield and Miss
Baldwin. Altogether six boats were
launched One OF these cspsized with its
passengers We supposed twenty-five or
thirty people were lost in this boat. We
lowered one boat ourselves. or the re-
naming five boats. three were filled with
passengers and standing of 100 yeards.
OF the other two. one was nearly fun
of water and contained only five men.
We did not see the sixth boat.
We know of only three Americans who
got into the Ife-boats, Mr.. and Mrs
Baldwin and Miss Baldwin. After ten
minutes OF watching We decided that az
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