South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-03-30
International News service

international News Service.
WASHINGTON. March 50.-Tvhe
United States is preparing to act in
the latest submarine crisis with Ger
many just as soon as "A complete
report is received from Ambassador
Gerard at Berlin. The ambassador
is making direct inquiry into
whether the series of marine disas-
ters TO neutral and belligerent ship
ping was authorized. either by Sc
cret orders or by new policy adopt
ed by the admiralty
Officials were hopeful that his
complete report would reach here
not later than early tomorrow so
that it can be considered at the reg
ular cabinet meeting.
Should Germany disayoW respon-
sibility il is understood that the
state department has compiled a
mass of evidence which. I'm the in
stances Of the steamers Sussex and
Anglishman. seems to- show that the
vessels were torpedOed. In fact. Am
bassador Page at London not only
reports all Of the evidence so far Sc
cured by him places the blame Tor
the Sussex on "a German torpedo. h.ss
ne also stated that he has been ofii-
cially assured that the submarine
which sank the Sussex fired two tor
pedoes. which missed. AZ a British
destroyer enroute TO the resuce or
the Sussex victims
VIII Accept Burden.
Officials declared that this govern
ment viii accept the burden
proof If ~ is compelled L. do so
and viii be I'm position TO demon
strate that Germany violated inter-
national law in a number of recent
instances. II is also asserted both
AT the state department and sources
close TO the white house. that "a def
mite policy which calls for the break
ing Of diplomatic relations has been
decided on should Germany not meet
the views Of the United States IT,
is expected. however. that before the
break actually is ordered. the pgesi-
dent viii take congress and Sthe
country into his confidence and will
make public all Of the Evidence now
withheld by the state department
Count Won Bernstorff. the German
ambassador. was back al the en-
bassy today but insisted thar he had
received no word whatever from
Berlin dealing with the sinking OF
the Sussex or any other ship.
Count Visits Polk.
Count Won Bernstorf. the German
ambassador. went 10 the state de-
'partmeut at noon today and held a
conference with Counsellor Polk
The ambassador said that be had
had no official advices from his gov
crnment dealing with the submarine
question
The ambassador said that he had
taken up with Counsellor Polk
only some important trade matters
and that the Submarine situation was
not touched on IN any way"
He made 81 plain that II the sub
marine question is 70 be- discussed
the discussion must be initiated by
the state department. Tie Said that
he had no information whatever re-
garding the various sinking of YES
sells now being investigated Dy the
United States.
II am positively convinced DC
added that the SUISSE WAS sunk 1y
striking a mine. AIy government is
scrupulOuslv Obserring an ~ the
promises made and is not violating
international law.
The ambassador Insisted that
much "misinformation" IS being sent
from abroad dealing with the "al-
legged submarine activities
Probe secret Orders
Alleged secret orders 10 German
submarine commanders are being
investigated bv this government
This investigation is unofficial and
secret but is being carried IN under
the direction OF Am bassador Gerard
az Berlin.
Iutcrna tlona1 Nf-gsS S.rvire-
BLODMIN0.fDN. Ind Anna
....s..r~ All.