Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-03-30
BERLIN KEEPING
U-BOAT PLEDGE,
ENVOY ASSERTS
Promises Scrupulously OBJ
served Bernstorff Says.
Thinks Sussex Mined
AMERICA MIsINFoRMED
Washington Waits on Data Be-
fore Framing New
Indictment
wAsH1NaToN. March 30.


Count Won Bernstorff. the German Am
bassador, went to the State Department
at noon today and held a conference will
Counsellor. Polk. The Ambassador said
that he had no official information from
his Government dealing with the sub.
marine situation
He made It plain that IL the submarine
question is to be discussed, the discussion
must be initiated by the state Department
He said that he had no information what
ever regarding the various sinkngs of
vessels now being investigated by the
United States.
II am positively convinced" he added,
that the Sussex was sunk by striking a
mine My Government scrupulousy is
observing all of the promises made, and
Is not violating international law"
The Ambassador said that he had taken
up with Counsellor Polk only some unim-
portant trade matters and that the sub
marine situation was not touched on in
any way"
The Ambassador insisted that much
"misinformaton" is being sent from
abroad dealing with the alleged subma-
rine activities"
The United States is preparing to act in
the latest submarine crisis with Germany
just as soon as a complete report Is re-
ceived from Ambassador Gerard at Ber-
lin. The Ambassador Is making direct in
quiry into whether the series of marine
disasters to neutral and belligerent ship
ping was authorized either by secret or
ders or by n new policy adopted by the
Admiralty. Officials were hopeful that his
complete report would reach here not later
than early tomorrow, so that IL can be
considered at the regular Cabinet meeting.
Should Germany disavow responsibility,
Il is understood that the State Department
has compiled a mass of important evil
dence which, in the instances of the liners
Sussex and Engllshman. conclusively
NI.,,N l. Alu tor
pedoed.
Ambassador Page at London today ca
bled the State Department that he had
been notified by an official source" that
hostile submarine twice tried to torpedo
the British destroyer which went to rescue
the passengers from the Channel liner
Sussex. Both torpedoes missed. the Am
bassador says he was told. This would
indicate that German submarines were
operating in the vicinity.
LONDON, March 30.
That German submarines have entered
on new campaign Of terrorism, despite
lin, was the view unanimously taken by
British officials today.
In the first two weeks of the new
U-boat war on armed merchantmen, in
augurated March 1. the submarlners pro-
ceeded cautiously, apparently under strict
orders from Berlin During the last fort
night sinkings have averaged from three
TO four ships day. Admiralty officials
said today they have positive proof that
U-boat commanders have exercised no
discrimination, but have torpedoed with
out warning numerous unarmed ships, at
tacRtng often in the darkness
Sworn statements concerning reported
attacks on four vessels, aboard which
were Americans are now en- route to
Washington. The British steamship
Eagle Point. reported torpedoed without
warning. entered the German-American
controversy through the fact that Joseph
Gleason, of Boston, was member of her
crew. The other ships were the English
man, Sussex and Manchester Engineer.