Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-05-10
A. ]. MONTAGUE
OPPOSES HASTE
Richmond Congressman Ad-
vises Goodness in Grave
Situation
RELIANCE ON WILSON
Virginian. Recognized Authority on
international Law. Withholds Views
on Sinking of Lusitania

Richmond, May l0-"This is pre-
| eminently a time for cool thinking
and careful deliberation, and not for
a precipitate rushing to conclusions
without careful effort to ascertain
all the facts. The sinking of the
Lusitania has undoubtedly produced
grave situation, but one which l
feel confident, will be set wisely by
! the authorities in Washington.
Congressman Andrew Jackson Mon
tague, member of the House of Rep
resentatives from the Third District
of Virginia, was extremely disincIln-
ed last night to discuss the sea catas-
trophe, which has temporarily over
shadowed the other vast operations
of the world war. In the foregoing
statement he sulnmed up his reasons
for preferring to withhold an express
sion of opinion on the international
problems raised by the Lusitania's
sinking, until official Washington has
itself reached some decision.
'The President of the United States
and his advisers are giving the mat
ter the most earnest study" contlnu-
ed Mr.. Montague. "and the least
that men having an official. connection
with the government can do IS not
to embarrass them by prociaiming
their own views, based as they must
be, on only part of the facts. Iney
are dealing with the situation with
the care and deliberation that its
gravity demands. An ill-consldered
statement from anyone in public lie
is the last thing to be desired"
81 have my own views Of course,
as to the international law question
arising from the sinking Of the Lusl-
tania," said Mr.. Montague, views
however, which may be modified by
fuller information than appears now
to be ayailable 1 certainly would
not like to make these known until
the administration has made public
it's views"
Mr.. Montague was asked whether
in his opinion, the State Department
note of February II, warning Ger
l.many that this country would be
! constrained to hold the imperial gov
ernment to a strict accountability"
Cor anv acts Of its naval authorities
which might result in the destruc-
tion of American vessels OF the loss
of American lives, could be held ap-
n,;cable TO the situation arising from
the sinking of the Lusitanla.
"Before that question can be an
swered number of things Will nave
to be officially established that. we
| know about now only in an unothclal
way.n replied Mr.. Montague i nave
not recently read the note of Febru-
.rv H. and am not familiar with its
ex,ct language. AS recall it, how
over. it laid particular stress on the
crave situation that would ARISE
should Germany, as the result OF It's
announced intention to inaugurate a
systematic submarine warafre against
the enemy's merchant marine destroy
IN the high seas an American YES
.o1 49, the lives of Americans.
sWhether that provision is broad
enough to include the loss OF Amerl-
con lives on a merchant vessel flying
tho flag of one Of Germany's enemies
is question that the administrator
.s the author of the note, Is best
qualified to determine"
Mr. Montague was asked if, ieav'
ing out all consideration of the note
Of February II, Germany's conduc'
lin sinking the Lusitania without al
lowing the passengers and crew time
- take to the boats, knowing tina
thoro were many neutrals aboard
voc defensible from the standpoln
e ;,+ornational law governing civiiiz
ed warfare.
We must wait for its answer until al
f.cts are known replied Mr.. Mon
+aars ::For example, it would mat
a,;allv affect the situation if it shoui'
ha shown that the Lusitania carried
anv guns. The British Admiralty. |