Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1916-03-28
CRISIS OVER
SUBMARINE IS
ACUTE AGAIN
Sinking of Sussex and English.
man Produces Grave Situa-
.. ton.
GERMANY READY TO
MAKE PREPARATION
Imperial Government Promises to
Conduct Investigation of
Affair.

Washington, March ;27.-With all
evidence indicating that the British
channel steamer, Sussex, carrying
American victims to watery graves, it
was stated authoritatively here today
that, if a German submarine made the
attack, the Imperial government
would disavow the act, punish the sub
marine commander. offer reDaration,
and satisfy the United States that the
act was in violation Of instructions.
Thus, it seemed tonight that the
issue might narrow down to the ques-
ton of whether the United States
would be willing to accept such a de-
caration from the Berlin government.
President Wilson is waiting with
deep concern the receipt of cOnclus-
i've evidence, not only in regard to
the Sussex, aboard which the Ameri-
cans narrowly escaped death, but the
sinking of the steamer, Englishman.
One American is said, in the latest
official reports, to have been lost
To Make Inquiry.
Already it was intimated at the
state department, the United States
has in its possession sufficient infor
nation 70 warrant making an inquiry
Of the German government as to
whether any of it's submarine fired a
torpedo at the Sussex or Englishman.
The president described the situa-
ton to callers during the day as be-
ing grave, but said no decisive step
would be taken pending the, reeeipt &c q
the additional facts II is known that
the president is seriously considering
going before congress and laying the
entire question OF submarine warfare
before the house and senate members.
Situation Is Grave.
Official expressions of the adminis-
tratiOn's attitude was avoided today,
but the officials made no attempt to
minimize the gravity OF the situation
which will confront the United States
If it is established that the submarine
sunk the Sussex, an armed peaceful
passenger carrying vessel, in violation
of the rights of humanity, the prin-
ciples of international law, and the
solemn assurances regarding the con-
duct OF the submarine submarine war
fare which have been given the Unit
ed States by the Central European
powers.
To Make Reparation.
1t was stated authOritatively here
today that should it be shown that
German submarine attacked the Sus-
sex, Germany would disavow the act,
offer reparatiOn, punish the submar-
inc commander, and satisfy the Unit
ed States that the act was in viola
tion of instructions.
It was also stated authoritatively
that the German ambassador, Count
Won Bernstorff, was mainly respon-
sible for the recent retirement of
Grand Admiral Won Tirpitz, who is
understood to have been eliminated
because Of his views on the submar-
inc warfare after Count Won Bern
storff had made certain recomneanda-
tions to the Imperial Chancellor Won
Bethmann Holleweg.
Washington Excited.
WdSIlluSlOH Is WdillHS Will SOllc
anxiety the investigation into the ex-
plosion of the steamer, Sussex, and
the sinking of the British steamer,
Englishman. The possibility of
breaking off diplomatic relations with
Germany is being discussed in the
event the steamers are shown to have
been torpedoed by a German submar-
inc
All Americans aboard the Sussex
were saved, but several were injured.
One American is believed to have
been lost when the Englishman went
down.
-Four more vessels have been sunk
by German submarines, the most i'm
portant of them being the British
steamer, Manchester Engineer.