Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1915-05-13
PUBLIC OPINION TO
HELP POINT WAY
PRESIDENT PROMISES TO PRO-
cEED WITH DELIBERATlON
AND FIRMNESS.
Probable That Special Session Of Con-
qress Will be Called to Provide
Steps for Safe Conveyance Of
American Passengers.


course pursued by the United States
following the sinking OF the Lusitania
and the loss OF 1lj American lives, Is
the question being propoundeG on ev
cry side.
All eyes are focusseed upon Presi
dent Wilson, who. since the announce
ment Of the terrible tragedy on the
Irish coast, has been studying in quiet
seclusion the aspects OF law and fact
in connection OF the sinking BY a
German torpedo boat OF the British
passenger vessel with consequent
loss OF probably 1900 lives.
After a conference with the presi-
dent at the White House Saturday
evening. Secretary Tumulty said: "Of
course the president feels the distress
and the gravity OF the situation TO the
utmost and is considering very earn
estly. but very calmly. the right
course OF action TO pursue He knows
that the people OF the country wish
and expect him to act with delibera-
liOu do well Win III
1t is generally believed that the Am
erican representatives abroad will be
instructed to obtain all the particulars
OF the sinking OF the Lusitania. and
that Germany will be asked for an ex-
PLANTATION OF her action, while Great
Britain's side OF the story will be re-
quested.
Hasty action will not De taken. In
any event. The decision which the
president and his advisers must reach.
1t is admitted in all quarters, Is a nom.
entous one. Those officials convers-
ant with the legal aspects OF the case
point out that the United States faces
a grave and serious problem OF lasting
importance in history. as all the world
-neutrals and belligerents alike-wlll
walt with acute expectancy for the
course which the United States shall
purs't to preserve the rules OF inter.
national law. particularly the rights OF
neutrals with respect TO the safety OF
honcomOatants on merchant ships at
sea
One Important fact was definitely
ascertained by the Washington rov.
eminent Saturday from the port author.
tiles at New York. who gave clearance
70 the Lusitania-that she carried No
guns either mounted or unmounted in
accordance with the caution OF tho
state department and British govern.
men' early In the war. This disposed
IN the minds OF officials the claim tina,
tne German submarine had n righ, %
attack the Lusltania because abe was
an auxiliary or converted cruiser
o'nclais OF the cunard line are under. !
STOOD to have stated that the LusitanIa
was not conveyed.
Ihese facts. In the opinion q, Lao.
oincers OF the American eovar,mo,,
ieit the German submarine no ercusa
unuer law or reason for an attack win. /
ou' warning on a ship with hundrads
u noncomoatants on board includ,na
neutral men, women and chua
ne position OF the United states no.
Se" 'hat the presence OF con,raha,s
even arms and ammunitlon-accord'
ing 10 the rules Of international Law
including the declaration of Tondon
~nlch Germany has upheld cannn,
the sinking Of a mechan,man
"i,nout the previous exercise Of tho
Iisnt OF visit and search and the ra
noVal OF noncombatants to a place .,
'aie'y. The government stated th,s H.
Us last note to Germany and AT Tho
same time issued warning that the
German government, would ~
I re'u TO a strict accountability" nv The
. yn''eo States for any loss Of Amer,'
IAN vessels or lives. A"e'''
It Is regarded as probable ,h,, .
'p',s, session of congress nav no
, . TO take action in the matter J
: s.. not believed that the special .o u
NO. NJ" WI. VIII be for the purpose of dec,es,
h hs war but for providing sbIns ' ,"r
rica 0a' icon. conveyance to Europe Of Am.
va" passengers and American goosa