The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-13
Unofficial Version of Ger man Reply on Sussex Inquiry Simplifies Task of the State Department GREAT ARRAY OF
 EVIDENCE HAS BEEN E GATHERED BY U. s. Tends to Show That Ger many Calmly Disregarded Pledges-Will Come Be fore Cabinet Friday

Washington, April 12.-Admission by attacked three merchant ships carrying American citizens and that one of them torpedoed q vessel in the vicinity of the point where the channel steamer Sussex was damaged by an explosion has sim plified the task of the state department in preparing for the next step of the United States in the issues over subma- rine warfare.
 Following the receipt in cabled press dispatches of the latest German note it became known that the United States would continue to compile information in- dicating that German submarines are op- erating in violation of the rules of in- ternational law, and that very soon a communication, designed to be the final word of the American government on the subject. would go to Berlin. ,g EVIDENCE GATHERED
 The state department has virtually
 completed the collection of facts re- lating to all attacks on merchant ships since the Lusitania Further evidence in the case of the Sussex, forwarded by the American embassy at London, is to arrive on. the liner St. Paul Friday. bassador Gerard, accompanied by the in- formation gathered by the department, will go forward soon thereafter.
 The unofficial text of the note from Germany was communicated to Presi- dent Wilson and Secretary Daniels to- night. The official text was expected hourly. It will be considered by the cabinet at it's regular meeting on Fri day.
 whatever might be the instructions to Ambassador Gerard, the purpose of this document to be handed the German gov ernment would be to give notice that the United States considers it has a great array of evidence tending to prove that in spite of reiterated assurances and pledges given by Germany, peaceful mer- chant ships carrying American citizens, or which might have some aboard, con tnue to be victims of illegal attacks. Officials said the statements in the Ger man note would be very carefully exam ined and compared with the evidence al- ready before the state depearment in preparing the case of the United States. In view of the admission that a German submarine was in the vicinity when the Sussex was attacked and the array of evidence, pointing to the conclusion that she was torpedoed, little doubt is felt here as to the responsibility for that dis aster, despite the explanation that a sketch made by the submarine com- mander of a ship he torpedoed did not correspond with the description of the Sussex.
 WILL NOT DEBATE
 There is no disposition on the part of President Wilson and Secretary Lansing
 to enter into a debate of the submarine issue with Germany. It is declared that he principles contended for by the Uni ted States in series of notes have been
 made very clear and that Germany has been sufficiently warned that further attacks in violation of international law would be considered deliberately un- friendly acts.
 The possibility of break iii diplomatic relations with Germany coupled with an exposition of the situation by the Presi- dent to Congress is constantly in the background. but the President was rep resented tonight as being earnestly de- sirous of avoiding such a, step if possi- (Continued on Page Twe)