El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-04-13

1. 5. THINKS Germans Guilty,

I
L. ;. Thinks Germans Guilty.
| While Germany denies the Sussex
! was attacked by one of her submarines
/ and explains that as sketch made by
/ a submarine commander of a ship be
/ torpedoed did not tally with the de-
! scripuon OF the Sussex. officials say
lnaL Germany admission that a sub
J marine was IN the vicinity, coupled
I with the array of evidence at hand
points to the conclusion that the Sus-
sex was tropedoed.
Following the receipt in cabled press
dispatches of the latest German note
il became known that the United States
would continue to compile information
indicating that German submarines are
operating in violation of the rules OF
international law and that very soon
a communication, designed to be the
final word of the American government
on the subject, would go forward to
Berlin.
The state department virtually has
completed the collection of facts re-
lating to all attacks on merchant ships
since the Lusitania. Further evidence
in the case of the Sussex. forwarded by
the American embassies at London and
Paris is to arrive on the liner st. Paul
Friday.
May Demand Punishment.
While the entire plans of the admin
istration are not being disclosed, it is
understood that nothing less than some
positive evidence OF Germany's good
faith to fulfill the assurances she has
given the United States, such as, posi-
bly,, substantial punishment Of the sub
marine commander who destroyed the
Sussex, can prevent the situation be-
tween the two countries from coming
to the pass which diplomats have
struggled for the last year to avoid
In view Of the conclusive nature of
the information on the Sussux already
before the state department, officials
cannot see how Germany can continue
to deny responsibility for destruction
Of the ship.
Won't Arbitrate on American Lives.
The suggestion Of arbitration in the
German note was met with the state
ment that the American government
would not arbitrate a question involv-
ing American lives.
Believe Vessel Was Sussuz.
Careful examination Of the German
note led officials to conclude that the
case of the United States had been ma
terialy strengthened. The similarity
between the circumstances surrounding
the attack on a steamer in the English
channel admitted in the German note,
and those surrounding the Sussux case.
caused officials to feel there no longer
is any doubt that the vessel was the
Sussex
illegal to Sink Freight Ships.
Attention was called to the fact that
III AiEA nuAb ArtIlndllN DIV inference al
mits that 1t is just as illegal TO torpedo
freight ships as it is to torpedo passen-
ger steamers.
The Berlin government recites what
it claims TO be the circumstances OF
the attacks on at least three non
ternational law was observed, warn
ing having been given and the members
of the crew having been afforded an
opportunity to reach what Germany
considers were places Of safety.
Heretofore the German government
has proceeded upon the contention that
the assurances given in the Lusitania
and Arabic cases referred only TO
passenger carrying vessels.
Strong Protest to Be Sent.
It was said today that whatever
might be the form of the instructions
to ambassador Gerard, the purpose of
the document to be handed to the Ger
man government would be to give no.
lice that the United States considers
Il has a great array of evidence tend
ng to prove that in spite of reiterated
assurances and pledges given by Ger
many peaceful ships carrying Ameri- |
an citizens, or which might have some
ibOard, continue to be made the VIC
inns Of illegal attacks.
The note denies that the Sussex was |
lttacked by a German submarine. The |
investigation covering the Sussex case !
says the note was extended to all &C !
ions undertaken on March 24-the day |
VI the Sussex incident-in the channel /
between FolkestOne and Dieppe. One /
Iteamer was sunk, the commander Of /
he German steamer reaching the 1
,efinite conclusion that il was a war ]
-esseL A sketch Of this vessel to- /
-ether with Photographic reproductions |
II picture Of the Sussex printed i'm the 4
london Daily Graphic, were enclosed /
With the note. the difference in the /
wo craft being indicated.
Admits Sinking Two Boats.
The steamers Englishman and Eagle /
'oint were sunk by German submarines |
fter they had attempted TO escape and 1
inc was allowed for the withdrawal
4 those aboard.
Regarding the sinking OF the war
essel' the note says that on March \
4. a long black craft without a flag,
aving a gray funnel. small gray for |
yard works and two high masts was
ncountered about tho middle of the
nglish channel by a German sub
larine. The commander reached the |
efinite conclusion that il was a war
essel, and indeed, a mine layer of the
ecently built English Arabic class.
lie was led to that conviction by the |
facts:
Wars Vessel Ia Sunk.
First: By the plain unbrOken deck
Z the ship: second. the form of the
tern, sloping downward and back
ard like a war vessel; third. she was
dluNeN ike war vessel IOurLn. the !
Ugh speed developed, about IS knots: |
fifth, the circumstance that the yes
FL did not keep a course northward
( the light buoys between DunEeness
nd Beachyhead. which. according to
he frequent and unvarying observa-
ons Of German submarines, is about
he course OF commercial vessels. but
ept in the middle Of She channel. on
course about in the direction OF 10
-avre."
consequently me German cam
lander attacked the vessel at 1855 IN
he afternoon. middle European time,
ne and one-half sea miles east Of BUN
ock CBullock) bank. the submarine
eng submerged. The torpedo struck
nd caused such a violent explosion
the forward part Of the ship that
he entire forward part was torn away
} the bridge.
"The particularly violent explosion
arrants a certain conclusion that
reat amounts of munitions were
board" says the German note.
Did Not Sink Sussex.
NO other attack whatever by Ger !