The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1915-05-19
WILSON IS DETERMINED.
ON COURSE TO PURSUE;
NOTE IN PREPARATION

The following statement on the
Lusitania incident -as made public
at the White Hou Wednesday by
Secretary Tumulty; after a conference
with the president:
The course of the president has
been determined. 1t will be announc-
ed just so soon as it is proper to pub
lish the note now in preparation.
President Wilson virtually complet-
ed "Wednesday the note he will send
to Germany as a result Of the sinking
Of the Lusitania.
1t asks Germany for an accounting
for the series of violations of Ameri-
can rights in the war zone-not only
financial, but moral-and a guarantee
that there will be no repetition Of un-
lawful practices Of German subma-
rines.
Early Thursday the note. now ap-
proved by the cabinet, will be sent to
Ambassador Gerard to be presented
to the Berlin government. It's final
details are being revised carefully.
Members of the cabinet who always
have advocated a vigorous foreign
policy ar satisfied with its terms;
conservative members approve it also.
That it maintains the dignity and
honor of the United States is their
unanimous opinion.
The president, it is said, realizes
fully the gravity of meaning in the
note and is prepared for any even
tualities that may follow its presenca-
ton.
The note does not say exactly what
the course of the United States will
be in case of refusal, nor would
the presidents advisers indicate
Wednesday beyond saying that each
new development would be consider
ed as it arose.
In official quarters, however. even
tual severance of diplomatic pela-
tons with Germany is declared not
impossible if there is no abatement Of
the German practices.
The announcement from the White
House was taken to mean that the
American government observing the
usual diplomatic amenities, would
await receipt Of the communication
in Berlin before making it public. At
first, there was some suggestion that
the communication be sent personal
ly by the president to Emperor Will
liam, but Mr. Wilson determined that
it should be addressed not to an in
dividual, but, to the German govern
ment and through it to the German
people.
The United States naturally seeks
financial reparation, but its protest
now is in the name of international
law and humanity to obtain a guar
antee that such tragedies will not be
repeated, and the lives of no1-com-
batants sacrificed.
While high officials were retictent
in discussing its contents, it was
agreed the note voiced the intense
feeling Of the United States over re-
cent occurrences in the war zone.
The Communication lays stress on
the inhumanity Of attacks, without
warning, on merchant vessels. It re-
views in a general way every case in
the war zone in which the rights Of
American citizens have been trans
gressed-the sinking of the Falaba
with the loss of Leon c. Threshcr, an
American; the attack by German air
men on the American steamer Cush-
ing; the torpedoing of the American
steamer Gulflight, while flying the
American flag: and finally the de-
struction of the Lusitania, with the
loss Of more than one thousand nom
com batants, and more than one hun
SreS .of them Americans
The note, while firm and pointed,
does not abandon tones Of friendli-
ness, giving room for disavowal by
Germany of her acts or an abatement
of her practices.
Germany is called on for an expla-
nation OF her past and future course,
but the note leaves open the steps
the United States will take to compel
an acquiescence in its position. 1t
calls attention to the fact that while
warning advertisements appeared in
the newspapers, the United States
government never was informed that
the Lusitania would be torpedoed.
Irrespective of that, however. the
position is taken lnat the serving Of
notice to do an unlawful act neither
justifes it nor makes it lawful.