The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1916-03-31
luSitania Situation 0utrivaIIed
by Sussex Incident
PROVIDING SHIP TORPeDOeD
Wilson viii Not Take Final Action
Without Conference with Leaders
In Congress-Fscts to Be
Carefully Sought

their concern over the situation pro-
duced by the sinking of the channel
liner Sussex. It's gravity is openly
admitted. There is general acknowi-
edgment that If it should be shown
that the Sussex was attacked without
warning by German submarine, the
relations between Germany and the
United States will become even more
critical than they were during the
tense period following the sinking OF
the Lusitania.
But government officials are care
full TO say that they have no direct
evidence as 10 the cause OF the Sus-
sex disaster. Diplomatic and con
sular officers OF the United States i'm
England and France have been in
structed 10 gather all the informa
tion available and cable II to the
state department. Much evidence
bearing on the case has already been
received. but II was asserted in an
authoritative quarter at the state de-
partment that nothing was contained
i'm the mass OF testimony on hand TO
show that anybody on board the Sus-
sex saw submarine prior 10 the dis
aster and that there was nothing to
show that any American citizen saw
the track OF a torpedo. However.
officials do not deny that most OF the
circumstances indicate that the Sus-
sex was torpedoed
The sensational aspect or the crisis
with which the United States appears
10 he confronted. was somewhat les
sened when Il became known def-
nitely that President Wilson, no mat
ter what the outcome OF the inves-
LEGATIONS now under way, will not
sever diplomatic relations with Ger
many without laying all the facts be-
fore leaders in Congress and obtain
ing their best judgment as TO what
course should be pursued. The opin-
ion prevails In well informed circles
that II the foreign committees OF the
Senate and the House and leaders In
Congress believe that the time has
arrived to take firm stand against
Germany, the President will not put
any drastic policy into effect until he
has laid the whole situation formally
before both houses and obtained their
sanction to carry ont the plan he De
lieves should be adopted.
In connection with the agitation
over the Sussex case bit OF unwrit-
zen history OF international impor-
tance has become known here. The
story was told in quarters close to
Id, lolr that
time ago Herr Won Bethmann- Holl-
veg, the imperial chancellor, cabled
10 Count Won Bernstorft, the German
ambassador i'm Washington, saying
that Grand Admiral Won Tirpitz, me
imperial minister OF marine, was IN
sisting upon launching campaign
of sinking without warning all mer-
chant ships going in and out OF Brit
ish ports. The chancellor, II was said,
asked Count Won Bernstorff what
would be the effect OF such policy
on neutral governments and neutral
public opinion. The reply OF Count
Won Bernstorff, according to the YER
sion given here, was that the effect
would be wholly bad and would bring
serious trouble upon Germany.
As result OF the opinion express
ed by the German ambassador, so
the story ran, the conservative ele-
ment of the German government, led
by the chancellor, declined TO adopt
the Won Tirpitz plan OF frightfulness.
and this marked difference OF view
led 10 the enforced retirement OF
Grand Admiral Won Tirpitz from the
ministry of marine
This story is pointed out In certain
quarters as indicating that the Ger
man government would not tolerate
the sinking OF unarmed merchant
vessels without warning and, there
fore, II could not be held accountable
for the attack on the Sussex if II
should be shown that the havoc
wrought on that vessel was caused
by torpedo fired by German sub
marine. An attack under such cir
cumstances, II was declared. would
bring from the German government
a prompt disavowal or offer OF repa'
ration and promise to punish tho
commander OF the submarine. II
should be understood, however. tha
this was not made through any for
NAL statement or that II emanateC
from any authoritative quarter. Coun
Won Bernstorff Is now In Washington
and be ..is the only person In thi
country who is regarded as being IL
position TO speak for the Germai
government
II has been plainly indicated here
tofore that if American lives wer
lost or endangered through the &C
tjon OF a German submarine throug
sinking without warning any mer
chant ship armed defensively or un
armed, President Wilson would deer
n his duty TO dismiss the Germa
ambassador and the Austro- Hungs
rian charge d'affairs. The assertio
has been traced TO well informe
Teufonic quarters that II the Pres
dent took--this- course. war with GeI
ssnannumoald be inevitable.