Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-05-08
Washington Government to
Gather Facts Regarding
Lusitania.
GERARD INSTRUCTED
TO GET GERMAN VIEW
United States Officials Admit Nation
10 Facing Grave Crisis Because Of
Deliberate Destruction Of American
Livss-cabinst Officers Foreeo
Weekend Vacations = Chairman
Stone Urges People to Be Cool.

tragic aspect of the Lusitania disaster.
as hourly developments disclosed it's
magniture and far-reaching possibility,
with the probable loss of 137 American
lives. President Wilson and his advis-
ors are waiting for all the facts and
for chrystalization Of public opinion
to aid in laying out the course the
United States will pursue in this lat
est International complication.
President Wilson, while seeking the
facts. hopes that the country will as
sumo an examining attitude and re-
serve full Judgment until complete in
formation is at hand.
Secretary Bryan cabled Ambassador
Gerard at Berlin today to informally
ask the German government for COM
.plete report. "a.
,s.5 Can't balance Facts.
The fact that the Lusitania was a
British ship, flying the British flag. ana
even had contraband of war aboard,
did not remove from the mind of Of
f1cials the ever-recurrent thought that
q hostile submarine deliberately de-
stroyed the ship with the knowledge
that hundreds OF defenseless neutrals
and wossen and&children were aboard.
- Everywhers, that aspect, oyershad-
owed tho-lsRai phase of the case tor.
while there il said to be no precedent
In International law forGthe attack
without warning on a belliSerent mer-
chairman, II was realized that defense
might be made on the charge that guns
were mounted on the decks. That, how
ever, the British government has de-
MED.
Special Session Of Congress Possible.
!. In many quarters it was thought
probable representations to Germany
will be general, covering all attacks on
American vessels.
Il. Among diplomatists there was appre-
.hension that the American people might
not consider representations sufficient.
A special session Of congress has been
talked of, but there was no indication
In official circles that session would
be called.
Cabinet officers who had planned a
week END holiday away from the cap
ital cancelled their plans. Chairman
Stone of the senate foreign relations
selling calmness. Chairman Stone
pOyuIcu OuI lAdl AIeAAAAyAAAo !. NJ SuAAA
stances must be taken into considera-
tion because the Lusitania was a bel
ligerent vessel, but he considered the
light a much more serious offense
against neutral rights.
The American consul at Queenstown
was advised to render all assistance
possible to the survivors.
Bad Time To Get Ratified.
Chairman Stone made q statement
which In part is as follows:
1T seems to me that good sense die
tates that we keep our heads until we
get our bearings 1t is a bad time to
get ratified and act impulsively.
1--WE can not overlook. the fact that the
Lusitania was British ship, flying a
British flag. It is stated that at the
time she was attacked she was carry
ing military reservists to England for
service in the British army. True.
there were American citizens aboard.
but 1t must not be forgotten that they
went aboard with full knowledge Of
the risk and with warning from the
German government, When on board
q British vessel they were on British
soil. Was not their position substan-
TALLY equivalent to being within the
walls OF fortified city?
II express no opinion at this time. I
am simply expressing reasons why we
should not rock the boat until we
know W hat We arc about
aside from the loss Of American
lives let US ask ourselves just where
we come in. At the present moment
and with the light before me. con-
TESS It appears to me that the Gulflight
case presents a more delicate and ser
ious complication than the case Of the
Lusitania." Ne
Senators Alarmed.
Among senator's at the capital there
was q general feeling of alarm. The
opinion prevailed that loss of American
lives and the manner in which the
Lusitania was destroyed would arouse
public opinion tremendously.
Secretary Bryan went into confer
ence with Counsel Lansing. Officials
showed by their demeanor they real
ixed they wore facing grave situation.
Secretary Garrison consulted with his
assistant and Secretary Daniels took
up the question with his aids.
Most Of the officials seemed to agree
that It might be several days before
the policy Of the United States could
be formulated because OF the scarcity
Of information OF official character.
Seeking Facts, Says Bryan.
I'VE are informing ourselves as
rapidly as possible concerning the
Laasitania disaster. said Secretary