Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-04-13

Berlin, April 12.-Gcrmanv's reply to
the inquiries of the American govern
ment regarding the steamers Sussex,
Manchester Engineer. En2lishman.
Eerwindvalc and Eagle Point, signed
by Gottlieb Won Jaeow. the German
minister of foreign affairs. has been
forwarded to Washington by Ambassa-
dor Gerard.
The note denies that the Sussex was
attacked by q German submarine. The
investigation covering the Sussex case
says the note was extended to all aC
tions undertaken on March 24--thc day
Of the Sussex incident---in the channel
between Folkestone and Dieppe. one
steamer was sunk, the commander OF
the German submarine reaching the
definite conclusion that it was war
vessel. sketch of this vessel. to-
Eether with photographic reproduce
tions Of picture of the steamer Sus
sex printed in the London Daily
Graphic, We're enclosed with the note,
the difference between the two craft
being indicated
The steamers Enclshman and Eagle
Point were sunk by German suhmar
Ines after they had attempted to es-
cape and time was allowed for the
withdrawal of those aboard.
The steamer Berwindvale was posi-
bly, sunk by German submarine, while
5efinite details with respect to the
Manchester Engineer are lacking and
therefore there has been no sufficient
basis for Investigation OF this partcu-
lar case.
TENT OF NOTE.
The following is the text Of the Ger
,.n n
THE undersigned has the honor to in
form Your EXcelcncy Ambassador
Gerard. in response to communications
Of the e9th and Goth ultimo and the third
instant regarding the steamers Sussex,
Manchester Engineer. Enslishman, 3er-
w.ndvalc and Eagle Point, that the men
toned cases, in accordance with our
notes of the 30th and 3lst ultmo and
the fourth and fifth instant, have been
subjected to careful investigation by the
admiral staff of the navy, which has led
10 the following results;
THE BERWINDVALE TRIED ESCAPE
"First-The English steamer Rerwind-
yale-a steamer which was possibly th'
Rerwlndvale. was encountered on tho
evening of March 1G in sisht Of Bul
Rock light on the Irish coast, by 8
German submarine Tho steamer. az
,oon as she noticed the submarine
which was running uusubmcrged, turn
ed and steamed away. She was ordere,
to halt by a warning shot She pai'
no attention. however. to this warning
but extinguished all lights and attempte
to escape. The vessel which was thel
fred upon, halted. and without furthe
orders lowered several boats. After tn
va,
enough time to row away, the ship wa
sunk,
The name Of this steamer was no
establishcd Il cannot he stated wit
assurance. even with the help OF tn
details which were furnished by tn
American embassy, that the above dc
scrbed incident concerns the steame
| Eerwindvale Since, however, tn
steamer sunk was tank steamer lik
the Berwlndva'", the identity of tn
ship may be assumed. In this cas'
however the statement made that tn
| Berwindvale was torpedoed withot
warning would conflict with the facts
THE ENGLIsHMAN CASE.
"second--The British steamer Englisi
| man-ths steamer on March "a We
called upon to halt by a German sui
marine 'lIbuSn TWO warning SllOtS aDOl
90 sea miles west of Islay (Hebrides
The vessel proceeded, however, witho
needing the warning and was thereto
forced by the submarine by artile
fire to halt after an extended chas
whereupon she lowered boats witho
further orders.
After the German commandant hi
convinced himself that the crew HI
,,ly to ba and roWpd from
ship, he sank the steamer.
THE MANCHESTER ENGINEER.
"Third-The British steamer Manch'
ter Engineer-It Is impossible to esta
lish through the investigation up to
present whether the attack on t
steamer, which, according to the Civ
description, occurred on March q, in
latitude of Waterford is attributable
n German submarine. The statem'
regarding the time and place of the
cdent gives no sufficient basis for
vestigation. 1t would therefore be
sirable to have more exact stateme
of the place. time and attendant circu
stances of the attack reported by
American government in order that
investigation might thereupon
brought to a conclusion.
THE EAGLE POINT.
"Fourth-The British steamer Ea
Point.-Ths steamer in the forenoon
March 2S was called upon to halt By
German submarine through signal {
shot about 1Oo-not 130-sea miles fr
the southwest coast OF Ireland
proceeded. She was thereupon fired
on until halted and without furt
orders. lowered two boats, in which