New Britain herald., 1916-03-28
GERMANY ASKED,
 WHO SUNK SUSSEX
Inquiry Sent to Teutons By U. s.
 After Cabinet Meeting
EVIDENCE NOT CONCLUSIVE
Ambassador Gerard Will Ascertain
 From Headquarters Whether Ger man Submarine Is Responsible-No Direct Facts Known at Washington.


 Washington, March 2S.-The united States has inquired of Ger l many, through Ambassador Gerard, | whether any of it's submarines torpe- doed the British Channel steamer Sussex.
 | Secretary Lansing announced after the cabinet meeting today that it hed | been decided to make such an inquiry and later it was learned that the in quiry had been made and in fact probably is already in Berlin. The i present status of the communication l is that of an inquiry; it has not ad- | vanced to the stage of a protest or a ! demand.
 The decision to make the inquiry was reached by the president and his advisers at today's meeting of the cabinet. The president and cabinet members wer furnished with all re- ports concerning the disaster which had reached the state department from diplomatic and consular repre- SentatiVes in France and in England, While cabinet members declared the situation grave they took the posi- tlon that break With Germany was not an immediate prospect. It was said, however, that if Germany ad- mitted torpedOing the Sussex situa- tion would be brought about which would be most serious
 Cabinet members agreed that the decision would depend much upon Germany's reply to the American in- quiry. Should Germany deny that one of her submarines attacked the Sus- sex the Am erican government would reach it's conclusion from the evil dence now being collected by it's dip lomatic representatives abroad.
 Cabinet members said the decision to make an inquiry of Germany was in line with the policy of collecting all information before a decision was reached. Should Germany admit the attack but claim the submarine com- mander exceeded his orders. officials believed that would be regarded as evidence that it was impractica ble for submarine commanders to attempt +o distinguish between armed an un- armed vessels
 The possibility that the attack on the Sussex might lead to a general clearing up of the submarine issue was discussed at the cabinet meeting.
 Evidence Not Conclusive.
 Members of the cabinet said that evidence in possession of the United States was not conclusive enough to warrant decisive action at this time For this reason it was decided to make inquiry of Germany. A ma- jority of the cabineet members, how ever, believed preliminary reports clearly indicated the Sussex was tor pedoed.
  seriously considering laying the whole submarine situation before congress personally before making any move that might lead to the breaking off Of diplomatic relations with Germany Bernstorff Returns.
 Ambassador Won Bernstorff, who has been away for several days, is expected to return today and consult with Secretary Lansing over the situation.
 It is stated authoritatively that if a German submarine fired the tor pedoes which sank the Englishmar, and damaged the Sussex, Germany would disavow the act, punish the submarine commander and offer reparation. In thisA event the ques- ton would seem to ARe whether the Washington government would he willing to accept such a declaration. On the other hand, if all facts are not deemed sufficiently conclusive it is probable that this government would be forced to accept a German disclaimer and allow the cases of the two vessels to be placed beside that of the steamship Persia, de f stroyed by some unknown agent.