New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-13

companied by the information gathered
bv the department, VIII 80 forward
soon thereafter.
Oncials made e clear tonight that,
whatever might be the form OF tho
instructions 10 Ambassador Gerard, the
purDose Of the document 90 De handed
The German government would be 20
eive notice that the United States con-
siders il has d great array OF evidence
tending TO prove that, ~ spite OF re
,terated assurances and pledges given
bv Germany. peaceful merchant ships
carving American citizens. or which
might have some aboard. continue TO
be the victims Of illegal attacks.
officials said the statements IN the
German note would be carefully exam
ined and compared with the evidence
already before the State Department IN
preparing the case Of the United states.
In view Of the admission that Ter
man submarine was IN the vicinity
when the Sussex was attacked, ana the
array Of evidence pointing 10 the con
clusion that she was torpedoed, niue
doubt is felt here as to responsi 6lllty
for that disaster, despite the explana-
fion that sketch made by tho German
submarine commander of snip he tor
pedoed did not correspond with the de-
scription Of the Sussex.
New Debate Not Desired.
There is no disposition on the part
Of President Wilson and Secretary
Lansing to enter into a debate of the
submarine issue with Germany. II IS
declared that the principles contended
for BY the United States ia series Of
notes have been made very clear. and
that Germany has been sufficiently
warned that further attacks in violation
of international law would be consld-
cred deliberately unfriendly acts
The possibility of a break in diplc-
matte relations with Germany, coupled
with an exposition Of the situation by
the President 20 Congress, IS constant
ly in the background, but the Pres dent
was represented tonight as beng
earnestly DESTROYS OF avoiding such "a
step if possible, and determined not TO
act hastily.
The contentious Of Germany in re-
gard 20 the attack on the Bernwindvale
Go not agree with the evidence received
ly the State Department. Il Is known
that al least ore Of the survivors made
the statement that the vessel was tor
yodoed without warning.
10 is understood there also - con
ficl between the evidence here and the
German version in the case of the Eng
lisman. Germany contends that the
shin was sunk after the German com
randant had convinced himself that the
crew had taken to the boats and had
rowed from the ship" The state De
partment has allowed it TO become
known that evidence in its possession
indicates that the ship had not come 20
o. stop when the deathblow was IN
Gic;ed.
Germany's statements IN regard 70
the Manchester Engineer are not con
elusive. Reports 20 the State Depart
iHent sa~ the vessel was torpedoed
without warning
Reports TO the department regarding
the Eagle Point are % the effect that
the vessel received "ample warning
before being sunk. However, Joseph
Gleason, of Boston. a survivor, made a
deposition TO the American consul al
Queenstown 20 the effect that he and
twenty-onc others Of the crew were set
ldrift I'm q waterlOgged lfebOat and
drfted for seven hours in heavy seas
that threatened 20 send their boat 70
the bottom az any moment.
Furthermore. the evidence indicates
that al the time the persons aboard the
ship were forced 20 abandon the ship
she was more than hundred miles
from shore.
Germany agreed with the United
States. IN correspondence relating %
the sinking Of the American ship viii
lam p Frye, that opportunity % reach
a place of safety should be given the
crew and passengers aboard ships
about 20 be sunk. and that the distance
from land and the condition Of the
weather were 90 be taken into consider
.tiOu.