The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1915-05-11
THE ~LUSITANIA.

sinking of the Cunard liner Lusitanla the ter
rible information that over twelve hundred men,
women and children had lost life in the tor
pedoing and sinking Of that great ocean inner:
The circumstances Of the destruction OF the
vessel itself focused the widest attention upon
it, but when there was added to this the horroi
of the deaths of so great a NUMBER OF 'hose
aboard the Inflated liner the vastness OF II
shocked the civilized world. This country is
not alone shocked, but there is profound grief
everywhere because of the calamity.
There must be a realization that the matter is
one Of the gravest concern to the United states,
for aboard the liner which sailed under the
British flag there were nearly two hundreo
Americans. While it is not known as yet as to
how many of these have lost their lives, yet
there is the certainty that of the number
aboard there must have been many. That Presi-
dent Wilson will take all proper steps IN the
matter is not to be doubted, for it was only re-
Gently that there was warning given by the
United States to Germany that it would be held
to "strict accountability for the loss Of Anneri-
can lives, whether the Americans were ABOARD
belligerent or neutral vessels when they were
attacked.
President Wilson may be absolutely relied
upon to do all that a patriotic American can do
in this matter of SO grave import, but it should
be realized that before he acts he must have
definite and absolute knowledge as to all the
facts of the disaster which has affected this
whole nation. In this time so fraught with pos
sibilities the President deserves the united sup
port and confidence of all the people OF the
United States. There should be none who will
attempt to "rock the boat in this affair which
so seriously affects this nation. The President
and his advisers are informing themselves of all
the aspects of the matter, and there need be no
thought but that the rights and honor of this
country will be fully protected.
There should be no hysteria. The need right
now is for the exercise Of %calmness and Of
clear-headed thought as public opinion crystal
Lies as to the disaster which has shocked the
world. AS a neutral country this great nation
owes not alone a duty to itself, but to the world,
and when it proceeds to act it should be along
lines which will be of service to humanity.
There is a sense Of deep provocation concern
ing the calamity brought about by the German
submarine, but our people must realize that
this is the time for the exercise of the best
wisdom of the nation. And as they consider
the situation there should abide the thought
with them that in the White House there is a
patriotic and wise man who is typical of the
best life in America, that he will weigh we'll his
| every utterance and his every act in dealing with
this matter of so serious import, that he will
deal with it in that spirit which should animate
the most patriotic of this Republic.
Former President Taft is taking the position
which commends itself as being that which
should be assumed by all our people. He was in
Milwaukee yesterday and is quoted as saying:
1.-THE news Of the sinking of the Lusitania is
most distressing. 1t presents a situation of the
most difficult character, properly awakening
great national concern. l don't wish to embar-
rass the President or the administration bv a
discussion of the subject at this stage of the
information, except to express confidence that
the President will follow a wise and patriotic
course
Chairman Stone. of the Senate Foreign ReIa-
tons Committee, says that the Lusitania trae-
edy is of course to be profoundly regretted and
the sympathies Of the civilized world will he
greatly stirred. But for u.s." he continued .i+
seems to me that good sense dictates that ra
keep our heads until we get our BEARINGS T.
is a bad time to get ratified and act imnu,siva1v
Don't rock the boat"