Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-03-28
NEW CRISIS ON
SuBMERS|BLES
Washington Taking a Grave
View of Latest Activity
of the Submarines
NO u. S. CITIZENS
LOST ON SUSSEX
Partial Proof Secured to
Indicate Torpedo Was
Cause of Disaster

Washington, D. c., March 27.-Amer-
ican officials view the submarine situa-
tion as taking on aspects of much
gravity. The possibility of breaking
off diplomatic relations with Germany
Is again being discussed as one Of the
eventualities which is expected to fol-
low If 1t Is shown that the steamers
Sussex and Englishman were victims
of submarines.
Officials say they are examining all
the facts at hand with open minds and
can come to no conclusion before they
have additional information but there
Is an undercurrent Of uneasiness over
the possibility that German submarines
have renewed their activities against
of the assurances given to the United
States.
The impression was general that IL
it should be established that the ships
We're victims Of submarines and Presi-
dent Wilson decided to take action he
first would consult congress.
American consular officers and the
embassies in France and England are
being urged to gather evidence of a
definite and legal sort. Meanwhile
the situation can only be described as
a waiting one.
Consular Agent Whitman at Bou-
logne reported today that he informed
by French officials that piece OF
bronze, resembling part of torpedo,
had been found on the channel liner
Sussex.
State department officials said they
had no information that any other than
German submarines were operating IN
the vicinity in which the Sussex was
attacked All agents in the vicinity
were being urged today to gather con-
elusive evidence from all possible
agencies.
Latest official information at the
state department was dispatch from
the American embassy at London
forwarding affidavits from Edward s.
Huxley and Francis e. Drake, New
York survivors, swearing that the ex-
plosion on the Sussex occurred with
out the slightest warning" and credit
ing the ships commander with saying
that he saw torpedo's wake.
Break Means War.
Chairman Stone Of the foreign rela-
tions committee said after seeing
President Wilson that all facts would
be awaited before action was taken.
While President Wilson and other Of
ficials do not underestimate the pos
sibilities of the new situation, they
realize that breaking off of diplomatic
relations with Germany almost GER
tainly would mean war and for that
reason this step would be carefully
considered
The president was in communica-
tion with Secretary Lansing during
the day and urged speedy gathering
of facts regarding the Sussex and
Englishman.
To Offer Reparation.
It was stated authoritatively here
today that should it be shown that
German submarine attacked the Sus-
sex. Germany would disavow the act,
offer reparation, punish the command
er of the submarine and satisfy the
United States that the act was In v1o-
lation Of Instructions.
It was also stated auhoritatively
that the German ambassador, Count
Won Bernstorff. was mainly respon-
sible for the recent retirement OF.
Grand Admiral Won Tirpitz, who is I'M
derstood to have been eliminated be-
cause Of his views on submarine war
fare after Count Won Bernstorff had
made certain recommendations to the
imperial chancellor, Won Bethmann.
Hollweg.