Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-09
PRESIDENT, ALONE,
WRESTLING WITH
M0MENT0US ISSUE
Seeking to Shape Policy to
Be Submitted to Cabinet
Early in Week.
WANTS PUBLIC OPINION
TO HELP POINT THE WAY
Res .zes That Nation Expects
Fin. ess as Well as Calmness
in Dealing With Situation.
OFFICIALS DEEPLY DEPRESSED
Admit That Government Faces One
OF Most Serious Crises in
It's History.
OFFICIALS DEEPLY DEPRESSED
Admit That Government Faces One
OF Most Serious Crises in
It's History.

WASHINGTON. May s-President
Wilson. upon whom the eyes Of the
world are focused at the present mo-
inent. studied IN quiet seclusion to-day
the aspects OF law and fact in cocnec-
tion with the sinking by n German tor
pedo OF the British liner Lusitania. with
q consequent loss Of many American
lives. The great human tragedy.
coupled with the report OF the horror.
caused the President TO deny himself
TO all callers, even to members Of his
ohcial family, while he turned over In
his mind the course to be pursued by
the United States government in one
or the most serious crises In it's history.
The only glimpse OF the workings OF
the Presidents mind was given when
the White House tonight Issued it's
first formal comment on the disaster
The announcement was made that tho
President realized the country expected
him to deal with tho situation with
deliberation as we'll as firmness."
Secretary Tumulty said "Of course.
the President feels the distress and the
gravity of the situation TO the utmost,
and is considering earnestly. 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 deltberation as we'll as with firm
ness"
PRESIDENT DOES NOT
CONSULT WITH CABINET
The official data upon which formal
action will be based had not arrived
The President. therefore, did not com
municate with Secretary Bryan or Of
fcials OF the State Department. Nor
did he consult the members Of the
Cabinet. Ho has given such close per-
sonai attention In the last few weeks
to the particular questions involved
that he was thought TO be determined
to sift for himself and shape a policy
to be submitted TO the Cabinet. prob
ably on Monday or Tuesday.
In tho meantime, public opinion was
expected TO crystalline and help point
the way. Members OF the Cabinet hold
themselves in readiness for the Presi-
dents call. AT the State Department.
when Secretary Bryan was asked If
there was any advice 10 communicate
TO the American people at this time. he
replied that he die not think this was
needed, for the country understood the
situation.
This is no tiNe 10 rock the boat"
he said II vas the same sentiment
which Chairman Stone. of the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee. had ex-
pressed earlier in the day. The single
phrase expressed the desire of the
Washington administration that preju-
dices and passions be not thrust into
the unstable equilibrium while the
government endeavored to learn all the
details.
CARRIED NO GUNS,
MOUNTED OR UNMOUSTED
One important fact was definitely as
certained by the Washington govern
ment to-day from the port authorities
at New York. who gave clearance to
the Lusitania, that she carried no guns
either mounted or unmounted, in ac-
cordance with the caution of the State
Department and British government
early in the war. This disposed, in tho
minds Of officials, of the claim that
the German submarine had a right to
attack the Lustan mia because she was
an auxiliary or converted cruiser The
officials of the Cunard Line are under
stood to have stated that the Lusi-
tania was not conveyed.
These facts. in the opinion of law Of
fcers Of the American government left
the German submarine no excuse under
law or reason for an attack without
noncombatants aboard. including neu-
trail men, women and children. The
position of the United States has been
that the presence Of contraband, even
arms and ammunition. according to the
rules of international law. including the
Declaration of London. which Germany
has upheld. cannot warrant the sinking
OF a merchantmen without the pre-
vious exercise of the right Of visit and
search. and the removal OF noncombat-
ants to place OF safety.
The government stated this in its
last note to Germany, and at the same
time Issued warning that the Ger
man imperial government would be
held "to strict accountability" by the
United States for any loss OF American
vessels or lives.
DECISION WILL he
MOMENTOUs ONE
The decision which the President and
his advisers must reach, 1t was ad-
mitted in all quarters. Is momentous
one. Those officials conversant with
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