Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-10
NO Time FOR PREC|P|TATE
ACTION, SAYS MONTAGUE
Member of Congress From Richmond
Advises Cool Thought in
Present Crisis.
MUST RELY ON PRESIDENT
Third District Congressman, Recog-
nized MS Authority on Interna.
tional Law, Prefers to Withhold
Ntewa on IaIsitania's Sinking.

This is pre-eminently time for
cool thinking and careful elaboration,
and not for a precipitatc rushing to
conclusions without careful effort
10 ascertain all the facts. Tho sink
'hg of the Lusitania has undoubtedly
produced grave situation, but one
which. 1 feel confident, will be met
wisely by the authorities In Washing
ton"
Congressman Andrew Jackson Mon
tasue. member Of the House Of Repre-
sentatives from the Third District Of
Virginia. was extremely disinclIned
1ast night to discuss the sea catastro-
nhc. which has temporarily over
shadowed the other vast operations of
'he world war. In the foregoing state
ment he summed up his reasons for
hrercrrinS to withhold an expression
or opinion on the international prob
lens raised by the Lusitanias sinking,
until official Washington has itself
reached some decision.
WOULD NOT EMBARRAss
GOVERNMENT BY HASTY TALK
The President OF the United States
ana his advisers are giving the matter
the most earnest study" continued Mr.
Montague, land the least that men hay-
Ing an official connection with the gov
eminent can do is not to cmbarrass
3,
based as they must be. on only part
OF the facts. They arc dealing with
the situation with the care and de-
liberation that its gravity demands.
An ill-consdercd statement from any-
one In public life is the last thing to
be desired"
While not member of the Foreign
Relations Committee. MIR. Montague is
ono OF the bcst-informcd men in Con-
picSs on international law. In 19co-lo
he was one OF the delegates from this
country 10 the international conference
on maritime law, which was held at
BRUSSELS. lie was again delegated b.
INC PRESIDENT to attend another sitting
"' titS conference. which was TO have
beer held in 1913 For reasons of
state, known only 10 tho participating
governments. this conference was never
held. In 1906. Mr.. Montague was one
O.. IN" delegates from this country TO
the fan-American Congress. at Rio
Janiero.
HAS DEFINITE: VIEWS AS TO
INTERNATIONAL QUESTIONS
Il have my own views, OF course as
10 the international law questions arts
ing from the sinking of the LusltanIu,'
said Mr.. Montague, views, however
which may be modified by fuller in
formation than appears now TO be
available. I certainly would not like
TO make these known until tho adj
minis'ration has made public its
views"
Mr.. Montague was asked whether
In his opinion, the state Departments
note OF February II. warning Ger
many that this country "would no con
strained To hold the imperial govern
hcht 10 a strict accountability" for
any acts OF its naval authorities which
might result in Tho destruction Of
American vessels or the loss OF Amcri-
can lives. could be held applicable to
hc situation arising from the sinking
of the Lusitania
before that question can be an
sw"rcd a number Of things Will have
10 be officially established that we know
ABOUT now only in an unofficial way."
r'0li"d Nr Montague Il have not ro
Gently read tn" note OF February H.
ana am not familiar with it's exact
language. As recall! IL, however, il
laid particular stress on the grave
situation that would arise should Ger
many, as the result; OF its announced
Intention To inauEuratc a systematic
submarine warfare against tho cncmv's
merchant marine. destroy on the high
seas an American vessel or the lives
Of Americans
Whether that provision is broad
enough to include the loss Of American
lives on merchant vessel flying tho
flag OF one OF Germany's enemies. is a
question that tho Administrations as
the author OF the note. is best qualified
10 determine"
MUST DETERMINE If SHIP
CARRIED ARMS or GUNS
Mr.. Montague was asked IT, leaving
out all consideration of the note OF
February IL. Gcrmanys conduct in
sinking the Lusitania without allow
tnG the passengers and crew time TO
take I" the boats. knowing that there
were many neutrals aboard was de-
fensihle from the standpoint of inter
national law governing civilized war
fare.
That is another question that must
wait for its answer until all the facts
are known" replied Mr.. Montague.
For example, il would materially af-
feet the situation If ii should he shown
that the Lusitania carried any guns
The British Admiralty, 1t is reported,
has stated that she carried no guns
That is only a report, however, and its
correctness would have to be definitely
established II would make lot of
difference. too If it were shown that
the vessel carried arms, ammunition or
other war stores for the use of the
allies
Other question might we'll arise.