South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-04-13

stances OF the sinking we're known
and also because IL was impossible
TO obtain a picture OF the ship be-
fore April S. Consequently the IN
vestigation had 10 be extended 70 all
actions undertaken on the day In
cuestion-March 24-in the channel
in the general region between Folke-
stone and Dieppe
In this region on March p
long black craft without a flag. hav-
ing a gray funnel, small gray for
ward works and two high masts.
was encountered about the middle
OF the English channel by a Ger
man submarine The German COM
mander reached the definite con-
ciusion that il was a war vessel and
indeed a mine layer of the recently
built English Arabs class. He was
led 10 that conviction by the follow
ing facts:
Stern Like War Vessels.
First, ny the plain, unbroken
deck OF the ship: second. the form
OF the stern, sloping downward and
backward like a war vessel; third
she was painted like a war vessel:
fourth, the high speed developed,
about Is knots; fifth. the circum-
stances that the vessel did not keep
course northward OF the light
buoys between Dungenes ana
Beachy Head. which, according 10
the frequent and unvarying observa-
tons OF German submarines. is
about the course Of commercial YES
sells, but kept in the middle Of the
channel. on a course about in the
direction OF lie Havre.
Consequently. he attacked the
vessel at 1888 in the afternoon, mid
die European time. one and One-half
sea miles east OF Bullrock Outlook
bank, the submarine being sub
merged. The torpedo struck and
caused such 2 violent explosion in
he forward part of the ship that
the entire forward part was torn
away 20 the bridge.
The particularly violent explos-
ion warrants the certain conclusion
that great amounts of munitions
were aboard.
Makes sketch OF Vessel.
/. "rhe German commander made
a sketch Of the vessel attacked 10y
him two drawings which are en-
closed. The picture of the steamer
Sussex two copies of which are also
enclosed. is reproduced photograph
ically from the English paper The
Daily Graphic of the 27th ultimo.
A comparison Of the sketch and
the picture shows that the craft at
tackled is not identical with the Sus-
sex; the difference in the position
Of the stack and shape of the sterr
is particularly lacking.
NO other attack whatever 10y
German submarines at the time ir
question for the Sussex upon the
route between FOlkestone and
/ Dieppe occurred. The German gov
eminent must therefore assume tina
/ the injury TO the sussex is attribut-
! able TO another cause than an at
tack by a German submarine.
For an explanation OF the case
/ the fact may perhaps be service
able that no less than % English
mines were exploded by shots 10y
! German naval forces in the channe
I on the first and second of April
/ alone. The entire sea in that vicin.
! ity is, in fact. endangered by float
ing mines and by torpedoes thai
have not been sunk. off the Eng
{ III, 1, Il.
/ in an increasing degree through
German mines which have been laid
against enemy naval forces.
Ask Further Material.
should the American govern
ment have at its disposal further
material for a conclusion upon the
/ case OF the Sussex, the German gov
eminent would ask that it be com.
/ municated in order to subject this
material also 10 an investigation.
IN the event that differences OF
| opinion should develop hereby be-
tween the two governments. the
/ German government now declare.
itself ready 10 have the facts of the
case established through mixed
commissions Of investigation IN ac-
cordance with the third article OF
! The Hague agreement for the peace
| ful settlement of international con-
| hicts-Nov IS. 1907.
The undersigned. while request
! ing that you communicate the above
| 10 the government of the United
States, takes occasion 10 renew &c
| the ambassador the assurances OF
! his distinguished esteem.
(Signed) 'Jaspw"