Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-05-09
Statement Issued From White
House Says Question viii
Be Dealt With Deliberately
and Firmly
NO TIME TO ROCK THE
BOAT, SAYS Mr.. BRYAN
Port Authorities at New York
Declare LuSitania Carried
No Guns, Either Mounted or
UnmOunted, When She Sailed

iuf MORNING JouRNAL SPECIAL lgseen wlRul
Washington. May 4. President
Wilson, upon whom the eyes of the
world are focused at the present
moment, studied in quiet seclusion
today the aspects OF law and fact in
connection with the sinking by d
German torpedo OF the British liner
lhsitania with a consequent loss OF
many lives
The great human tragedy coupled
with the responsibilities OF the hour
caused the president TO deny himself
TO all callers, even to members of his
official family while he turned over
In his mind the course TO be pursued
by the United States government in
one of the nose serious crises In it's
history.
The only glimpse Of the workings
OF the presidents mind was given
when the White House tonight issued
its first formal comment on the dis
aster. The announcement was made
that the president realized the coun-
try expected him 10 deal with the
situation with deliboration as well
as flrmness.
White House Statement.
After Il conference with the presl-
q
Secretary Tumnlty said;
faf eonrsA the president feeis tire
distress and the gravity ~ the sitna-
ton To the utmost and Is considering
very earnestly but very calmly the
right course of action TO pursue. lie
knows that the people OF the country
wish and expect him TO act with de-
liberation as wei as with firmness' -
The official data upon which form
al action will be based had not ar
rived. The president therefore did not
communicate with Secretary Bryan
or officials of the state department.
Nor did he consult members Of the
cabinet or congress. He had been
giving such close personal attention
in the last few weeks TO the particu-
lar questions involved that he was
thought to be determined first to sift
for himself the various questions and
shape a policy TO be submitted Ia the
cabinet, probably on Monday or
Tuesday.
The Country Understands.
In the meantime public opinion
was expected to crystalize and help
point the way. Members Of the cabi-
net cancelled other engagements and
held themselves in readiness for the
presidents call. At the state depart
ment, when Secretary Bryan was
asked if there was any advice TO COM
municated to the American people at
this time, he replied that he did not
think this was needed for the coun-
try understood the situation
This is no time TO rock the
boat he said.
1t was the same sentiment which
Chairman Stone Of the senate foreign
relations committee had expressed
earlier in the day. The single phrase
expressed the desire OF the Wash
lngton administration that preiudiees
and passions be not thrust into the
unstable equilibrium while the gov
ernment endeavored to learn all the
details.
Lusitania Carried No Guns.
One important fact was definitely
ascertained by the Washington gov
ernment today from the port authori-
ties at New York. who gave clearance
to the Lusltania--that she carried no
guns. either mounted or unmounted,
in accordance with the caution of the
state department and British govern
ment early in the war. This disposed
in the minds of officials of the claim
right to attack the Lusitania because
she was an auxiliary or converted
cruiser. OFFICIALS OF the Cunard line
are understood to have stated that
the Lusitania was not conveyed.
No Justification OF Act.
These facts, in the opinion Of law
officers of the American government
left the submarine no excuse under
law or reason for an attack without
warning on a ship with hundreds Of
-combatants aboard including
neutral men, women and children.
The position of the United states has
been that the presence of cpntrahand
Even arms and ammunition---ac
cording to the rules 0f iilt5 5iTi iii ttss5j:a!
law, including the Declaration of
I.ondon, which Germany has upheld,
cannot warrant the sinking OF d mer-
chairman without the previous exer-
else OF the right of visit and search
and the removal of nOn-cnmbatants
to place Of safety The government
stated this in its last note to Germany
and at the same time issued a warn
ming that the imperial German gov
would be held "to a strict
accountability by the United States
for any loss OF American vessels or
lives"
Question r. Momcntous.
The decision which the president
and his advisers must reach, il was
admitted in all quarters. Is a momen
tous one. Those officials convcrsant
with the legal aspects Of the case
Continued on Page Two.)