South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-04-07
Cabinet Discusses Submarine
Warfare Situation and
Agrees Time For Tenn
PORTING is Past.
WILL REFUSE REQUEST
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Administration Will Take At
titude That TeutOnS Are
in Position to Know
Facts in Cases.
international News Service


WASHINGTON, April g. - The
United States is ready 20 break all
diplomatic relations with Germany.
Only action by the German govern
ment which viii meet the views OF
the administration regarding the
conduct OF the submarine warfare
can prevent this action. AT tOdays
cabinet meeting il is understood that
an agreement was reached that the
time for temporizing has passed.
Action that will safeguard tbs
rights Of neutrals must be taken Ds
Germany. and that ia the very near
future. or Count Won Bernstorff and
Baron Zwiedlnek. the Austrian
charge. viii be handed their pass
ports. This action. however. VIII
not be taken until after congress
has agreed that il is The only way
oYt' and officials close 20 Pres't
Wilson say that canvass or the
senate and house shows that the
president viii De supported in a
breaking or diplomatic relations by
q three 10 one vote if he shall SO
recommend
Attitude il Outlined.
IL was learned from a member OF
the senate committee on foreign re-
lations today that the present atti-
tude of the administration, following
series Of conferences between the
president. Col. +. NJ. House. Sec-y
Lansing and Counsellor Polk. is as
follows
The answer of the United States
10 any request from Germany-th
suggested request is contained in
advices from Berlin-that this gov
eminent give all Information in its
possession in the case OF the chan
mel steamer Sussex. VIII be a direct
refusal. The view OF the admins
/ tration. based on the evidence that
10 has in its possession. is that a
submarine torpedoed the Sussex and
that German submarines now are
sinking without warning unarmed
merchantmen. II this is not true.
the United States believes that Ger
many should prove that fact The
United States viii take no step what
ever which may be misinterpretod
TO give Germany any facts in it's
possession. taking the view that
Germany must Doe in position 70 know
all Of the facts"
Take Serious Interest.
Democratic and republican lead
ers in congress who have been TAX
ing a serious interest i'm Interna-
tional affairs TODAY were very plain
ly told that "a crisis in the relations
Of the United States with the CEN
tral powers cannot much longer be
delayed. They were informed that
lit was up TO Germany and that
Germany either would have 90 ac-
cept responsibility FOR positive ac-
ton that viii end an controversy
between the governments or agree
20 disagree. II was made very plain
20 the congressional leaders that pro
cedure on the part OF officials i'm
Berlin similar 10 tina. taken iu the
past whereby Submarine command
ers have been held responsible Tor
the abuse ~ their INSTRUCTIONS viii
no longer be acceptable There
must be positive assurances given
the United States Of a character that
viii leave no doubt as 20 the leu
tonic position and desire 10 live up
20 the requirements Of international
law
Following an Of the various con
ferences IN which the president has
participated the outstanding facts
developed have been that the moral
proof is overwhelming" that Ger
many had attacked unarued
merchant vessels without warning.
that promises made hy Count Won
Bernstorff-an officials admit that
ne acted in good faith-have been
utterly disregarded and that th-
United States and other neutrale are
today in a position where unless they
stand up for their rights general
state OF international anarchy may
result
Today's session n the cabinet was
q most serious conference. The
president outlined the gravity OF the
international situation as well as
making f. plain that ne intended
keeping American troops in Mexico
until they have accomplished their
task-"the capture or death ~ Cen.
Francisco Villa"