South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-03-31
Absence of Official Report
From Ambassador Gerard
Delays Definite Action
in Latest Cases.
GERMAN SOURCES ARE
TROUBLED BY OUTLOOK
Say Their Nation is Too Big
To Violate Pledges Without
Consent and Look For Sat-
iSfaCtOry Settlement.
IuiernatIonaI - servlce

International News Service:
WASHINGTON. March 31.-Pres't
Wilson and his cabinet again today
discussed the submarine question at
length. In the absence OF an official
report from Ambassador Gerard, no
decisive action was agreed on. 1t is
understood that word has reached
Washington that Germany has furn-
ished certain Information 10 the am
hassadOr dealing with the reports
that her submarines again are rum
ing amuck" against merchant ves-
sells both armed and unarmed
This Information nov on the way
~ cable, is understood TO defend he
sinking OF certain OF the vessels at
tackled as having been warranted by
their refusal 20 stop on signal This
is said to be especially the case so
FAR rs the Manchester Engineer and
Englishman are concerned.
IN the case Of the Sussex il rs
understood that Germany admits
shat the situation seems serious if it
shall be shown the charsnel liner ac-
tually was torpedoed. but that so far
the admiralty has no Information
that this was so. However if il was.
and is so demonstrated Germany will
take steps that VIII satisfy the United
states. even though the submarine
officer responsible may claim that he
mistook the vessel for a transport.
No Action Yet.
The cabinet agreed with the pres
ident. 1t is understood. that until
every possible bit of evidence is at
hand no action can be taken Am
bas-ador Pas now is sending for
ward additional -luence bearing on
the SUSSEX. Ehglishman and Man
chester Engineer Minister Van
Dyke has been promised by the
Dutch authorities complete informa-
ton regarding the status OF the Tu-
bantia as soon as il is compiled. 1t
also agreed that the official British
gud French reports ought to be re-
ceived and considered as circum-
stantial evidence i'm each individual
case. although this government viii
not OF necessity be bound by the con-
illusions arrived at by those govern
ments. The official reports of the
United States military and naval at
taches- who examined the damaged
sussex. also are 10 be made a part of
the record.
Austrian and German sources were
plainly troubled today over the im-
mediate outlook. However. there
was a feeling i'm evidence there that
this government can expect Germany
. q
GERS shall be shown in fault As
nigh official put il. Germany is too
big nation 20 violate solemn
pledges with consent. And German
naval discipline is such. 10 was point
ed out, that If a German officer is
shown at fault ne viii be punished
no matter what his rank or connec-
tons.
Situation Difficult.
The present situation is made
more difficult of handling. Teutonic
sources pointed out. by the fact that
the original promises and assurances
Of the German government 20 the
United States i'm the Lusitania and
Arabic cases. never were officially
accepted by the United states. If
they had been instead OF the sug-
gcstion. being made that they would
be considered in the light of fu-
ture developments. il would ne
easier 20 bring the present develop
ments TO head. officials seemed
20 think that III the United states
shall address another demand To
Germany and Austria even though
this demand be couched in sharp
language-it viii have a patient con-
sideration and prompt answer.
Regarding yesterdays action bv
the German reichstag endorsing sub
marine campaigns an official ia
miliar with the situation. said that il
did not mean that any policy Of in
discriminate using OF submarines was
approved II was simply an express
sion OF confidence that the interests
of the government will oe protected
al all times
ut gives the government a free
land irrespective OF the opinions OF
Individual members, this official
said.