Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1915-05-14

hOlhy Tie Oull0u oLdteS JnaJ SuDma-
rine commanders have been specifi-
cally instructed not to harm neutral
ships which are not engaged in hostile
acts in the war zone, and that Ger
many will pay for damage sustained
by such ships.
Washington, May 12.-President
Wilson will enter a vigorous protest
to Germany and will insist on an ex-
PLANTATION of the series of incidents
connected with the submarine war
waged around British Isles which re-
suited in the deaths of American citi-
zens.
The president after three days Of
study in solitude, came to this decision
last night and submitted his draft to
the members of the cabinet. 1t was
unanimously approved.
This decision, reached by President
Wilson tonight, marks the first step in
the policy which will be pursued by
the United States as a result of the
sinking of the Lusitania with the loss
of more than 100 American lives.
The kaiser's government also will be
asked to explain the sinking of the
Falaba, causing the death of Leon C.
Thrasher, an American; the torpedo
ing of the Gulflight, and the attack by
German airmen on the American
steamship Cushing.
In firm and unmistakable terms. ac-
cording to those familiar with the doc
ument, the president, after voicing the
intense feeling of the United States
over these happenings, demands, in
the name of international law, that
Germany adhere to the established
rules of maritime warfare.
Demands Safety for Passengers.
Unarmed merchant vessels, carrying
non1combatants, must be visited and
searched when encountered on the
high seas, says the note, and passen-
gers and crew be transferred to
place of safety before any prize is de
stroyed.
The document to be sent to Germany
points out that the Teutons will be
held to strict accountability for any
of American citizens. 1t is said the
United States denies the right on the
part of Germany to carry on such
methods of warfare and states that the
mere giving of official notice of an
intention to commit an unjustifiable
act does not make it lawful.
The events which follow if Germany
70 ~.
wishes of the note, would not be dis
cussed by members of the cabinet to-
night.
Roosevelt For Drastic Action.
Syracuse, N. Y, May 12.-Fortaer |
President Roosevelt Tuesday night |
pleaded for prompt action by the I'm |
tied States on account of the Lusitania |
disaster, commenting on President |
Wilson's speech in Philadelphia. Mr.. |
Roosevelt was particularly interested |
in that part of the presidents speech |
in which the latter referred to "such |
a thing as a man being too proud to
fight" and "a nation being so right |
that it does not need to convince 9TH |
ers by force that it is right
1.-THE $50 babies drowned on the Lu-
sitania, the hundreds OF women |
drowned with them, and the American |
ship, the Gulflight, which was torpe- |
decd, offer an eloquent commentary on
the actual working of the theory that |
it is not necessary to assert rights and |
that policy of blood and iron can ,
with efficacy be met with a policy of |
blood and water.
Germany now offers to stop the |
practice of murder on the high seas if |
we will now abandon further neutral |
rights, which by her treaty she has
solemnly pledged to see that we exer
else without molestation.
Without twenty-four hours delay |
this country should and could take eff
fective action by declaring that in view |
of Germany's murderous offenses all |
commerce with Germany shall be /
forthwith forbidden and all commerce |
of every kind permitted and encour-
aged with France, England and the |
rest of the civilized world"