Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-03-28
BERLIN ANXIOUS
TO SATISFY j. s.
IN LATEST ISSUE
Wilson Awaiting With Deep
Concern Receipt of Com
plete Evidence.
ENTIRE QUESTION MAY BE
LAID BEFORE CONGRESS
Situation Probably Will Be Fully
Discussed at Cabinet Meet
ing To-Day.
OFFICIALS ADMIT GRAVITY
Outcome May Depend on Whether
This Government Will Accept
Teutonic Declaration.
ENTIRE QUESTION MAY BE
LAID BEFORE CONGRESS
ADMIT GRAVITY
OFFICIALS
Outcome May Depend on Whether
This Government Will Accept
TeutOnic Declaration.

WASHINGTON. March c7.--with all
evidence indicating that the British
channel steamer Sussex. carrying
American citizens. Nas tho victim Of
a torpedo it was stated authorita-
lively here to-day that If German
submarine made the attack the im-
perial government would disavow the
act. punish the subma rinc commander,
offer rcparation. and satisfy the United
States that the act WAS in violation OF
Instructions Thus it seemed tonight
that the issue might narrow down 10
the question Of whether the United
States would be willing 10 accept such
n declaration from the Berlin govern
mcnt.
President Wilson is awaiting with
deep concern the receipt of complete
evidence. not only in regard to the Sus-
sex, aboard which several Americans
! narrowly escaped death; but rs to the
sinking Of the British steamship Eng
| lishman. One American life is said in
the latest reports to have been lost
! when the EnSlishman went down.
Already, II vas intimated at the
State Department., the United States
has information sufficient to warrant
| an inquiry Of the German government
as 10 whether any OF its submarines
fired n torpedo ut the Sussex or the
EnElishman
The President, however, holds that
all the details available should be at
hand before definite action is taken.
| fle described the situation TO callers
rs being grave. but said no decisive
step would be taken pending the re-
ceipt OF the additional facts.
WILSON MAY LAY ENTIRE
QUESTION BEFoRE CONGRESS
1t is known that tho President is
seriously considering laying the entire
question OF submarine warfare before
Congress. Certainly he will commrni-
cate the situation fully to Congress-
before taking steps which might lead
To the severance OF diplomatic rcla-
tons. The situation probably will he
fully discussed al the Cabinet meet
ing Tomorrow.
omcial expression of the attitude
"t the administration was avoided TO-
daS. but nigh officials made no attempt
TO minimize the gravity of the situa-
ton which Will confront the United
states II il is established conclusively
sussex, an unarmed rassenger-carrv-
ing vessel. in viola ton o, the rights
OF humanity, the principles OF iuter-
national law, and The solemn assur-
anceS regarding the conduct Of sub,
marine warfare which have been given
10 the United States by the Central
European powers.
President Wilson was in constant
communication with Secretary Lansing
curing the day. and all reports from
consular and diplomatic representatives
were sent Immediately to the White
House. Among the Presidents callers
was Chairman stone, OF tho Senate
Committee ON Foreign Relations.
BEH>sroHFT EXPECTED
HACK AT CAPITAL. TO-DAY
Ambassador Bernstorfi is cNnectoo :,
return 10 the capital tomorrow. after
an absence OF several days. He prob
ably VIII communicate with Secre-
tarH Lansing soon after his arrival
IL was stated authoritatively that
ION hernstorn was mainly responsible
ior the recent retirement OF Grand
.'diniral Won Tirpitz. who is understood
TO have been eliminated because OF his
views on submarine warfare after
Count Won BernStorff had made certain
recommendations to the Imperial Chan.
cellor. Won Bcthmann- -Hollwe-
The mbassador was advised that
Admiral Tirpitz proposed to conduct q
relentless submarine campaign against
all shipping 10 British ports, and uas
asked what. in his opinion would be
the effect OF such campaign upon
neutral nations. particularly tie Cnitea
States
The ambassadors reply is said TO
nave been an important factor in .hs
retirement OF the admiral.
knowing these facts ana the att.
tude OF the German governments leu
tonic officials arc certain that IL n Sub
marine was concerned In the Sussex
disaster the imperial government viii
90 everything In IT'S power 10 SATISFY
the United States
IL was made clear however, that tbs
German embassy believes 4 mine dam
aged the channel steamer.
II was authoritatively stated to-day
that the President would communicate
the situation fully to Congress bcforo
taking any definite steps which might
lead TO rupture OF diplomatic sela-