The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-06

WASHINGTON, April 6.--President Will
son 10 now determined to take fnal steps
In the submarine issue with Germany
which will. he believes. protect the rights
Of American citizens and the honor Of
the nation.
He will use the recent instances Of
attacks on ships carrying Americans az
a means of obtaining ironclad sssur-
ances Of this protection from Germany
or he will 20 before Congress and ask
that joint resolution be adopted au-
thorixing him to take whatever steps
he may deem necessary to obtain It,
The Presidents decision BECAME known
tonight. II Is understood that Secretary
Of state Lansing explained the position
Of the United States to-day to NJ. JUS
sersnd. the French Ambassador.
Ambassador Jusserand tonight made
public. with the permission OF Secretary
Lansing, the report OF Rear Admiral
Grasset OF the French navy on the at
tack on the SUSSEX. This states that
both passengers and officers on the
Sussex saw not only the wake Of the
torpedo but the torpedo itself
The situation Is neither more nor less
serious than II was u week ago. but the
Presidents Views have crystallized into
definite shape and the policy Of
"watchful waiting" has given way to a
policy OF prospective action"
This action, II Is said, now awaits only
the reply which Berlin makes to the list
OF instances where American lives have
been jeopardized by alleged attacks Of
German submarines and which Ambas-
sador Gerard at Berlin has brought to
the attention OF the German Foreign
Office.
The reply which Germany will make
has now assumed prime importance. II
must satisfy the President that the rights
of Americans will henceforth he pro-
tected. Otherwise the President will pro-
coed to take steps to secure these rights
without references 10 the German reply.
according to authoritative information.
The President will give due weight TO
questions OF fact which Germany may
dispute. but argumentative questions OF
prime tple ne will not consider. The time
has clearly come. the President believes.
when the principles for which he has
contended must either be respected or
ignored. There can be no halfway
mea sures
! In case Berlin refuses to respect these
principles unQuslifedly the President
will. II IL explained. proceed as he did
on the eve OF the seizure OF Vera Cruz
BY the American forces. In that case
the President Informed Congress that
while his constitutional authority tC
! adopt measures he thought proper was
unquestion hA felt 1t better TO stanC
J within the broadest interpretations OF
his moral obltgation 10 SEEK the advice
Of Congress No one was able to foreses
what the oc.ty)at ion OF Vera Cruz might
1 lead to any more than any one is abb.
to foresee what a rupture OF diplomat,
/ relations with Germany might lead TO.
! Count Won Bernstorff In his former
f, talks with Secretary Lansing has EN-
/ phasiZed the seriousness OF a diplomat,
rupture for the reason that German,
would then probably proceed with ~
{ submarine campaign without references
to American wishes. This might place
the President IN the position OF havini
10 use the armed forces OF the countr,
TO insure the protection Of American
rights and the honor OF the nation. OF
hcials explain that the acute seriousness
OF a diplomatic rupture would OF course
depend on Germany. but the possibili,
OF serious consequences has determine,
the President to take Congress into hi
couns-ls before taking any such def
mite step.
Secretary Lansing and Ambassado