Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-04-14
j. S. OFFICIALS FEEL
EVIDENCE OF GUILT IS
BEYOND JAIL QUESTION
German Contentious and Ad-
missions Only Serve to
Strengthen Case of State
Department, Is Belief

WASHINGTON. April IS.-The Ger
man note on the Sussex and other sub
marine cases has been received at the
state department and is being decided
Il probably Will be laid before Presi-
dent Wilson and Secretary Lansing be-
fore tonight
The affidavits srom Paris and Lon
dons expected today on the liner St
Paul. will be considered with the Ger
man note and the information regard
ing attacks on merchant vessels since
the Lusltania Is expected to be com
Dieted In time to go to Berlin within
the next week.
IL Is understood that nothing less
than some positive evidence of Ger
many's good faith to fulfill her assur-
snces, such as possibly. substantial
punishment OF the submarine COM
Inander who torpedoed the Sussex. can
prevent tile situation between the two
countries from coming to the pass which
diplomats have struggled to avoid.
The use Of the word ultimatum in
connection with the document to be for
warded TO Berlin is discouraged by Of
ficials. stifl. il was said the effect
OF the communication would be to call
for prompt action. In view OF the con-
elusive nature OF the Information on
the Sussex already before the state de-
partment. officials cannot. see how Ger
many can continue TO deny response
bility.
ARBITRATION NOT POSSIBLE.
The suggestion OF arbitration IN the
German note was met with the state
ment that the American government
would not arbitrate a question involving
American lives
Careful examination OF the German
note led officials 70 conclude that the
case OF the United States had been
materially strengthened The similari-
" between the circumstances surround
ing the attack on a steamer In the Eng
Iish channel admitted in the German
note and those surrounding the Sus-
sex case caused officials TO feel there
no longer il any doubt that the vessel
was the Sussex
Senator's and representatives who call
ed at the White House went away WITH
the impression that action was i'm
rufuent but that another communication
would be sent to Berlin before more
drastic steps were taken
The United States viii continue 10
compile evidence indicating that German
sl.bmersIbles are operating in violation
o. TIE rules Of international law. IN
structiOns 20 Ambassador Gerard, de-
s-sned as tie final word OF this govern
20 Berlin. IL is said
The O5icial text Of the German note
and the entire submarine situation VIII
be discussed at t0morrow's cabinet meet
-nE
While Germany denies the Sussex was
attacked BY one OF her submarines and
explains that a sketch made by 4 SUB
marine commander OF a ship he torpe-
deed did nor tally with the description
~ the Sussex. officials say that Ger
Mays admission that a submarine was
i- The vicinity. coupled with the array
Of c-iJencc at hand, points 10 the con-
.F-,-z.u chat tE.. Sussex was torpedOed-
Likewise officials say there is con-
fit between the evidence in the Ger
man version that the steamers English
man and Eagle Point were sunk after
they attempted TO escape and evidence
received here from other sources.
Cse-r-any's contentious in the cases OF
.he steamers Berwin6vale and the Man
chester Engineer are not considered here
as conclusive