Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-05-09
FIRM STAND URGED
BY DEMOCRATS
Chairman McCombs Proposes
Strong Declaration to All
the Powers.
WATTERSON EDITORIAL
WANTS WILSON TO ACT
Suggests That He Hold "Aloft the
Sword of the Lord and Gideon"
Discussion of Lusitania.
BY N. o. MESSENGER.

LOUISVILLE. KY, May s. Several
influential and prominent members of
the democratic national organization
are in Louisville tonight. Naturally
the problems raised by tho Lusitania
incident have been the subject OF their
earnest consideration.
Those who are here are William F.
McCombs. chairman of the democratic
national committee: Thomas j. Pence,
assistant secretary: Thomas Taggart,
national committeeman from Indiana:
Frederick B. Lynch, national commit
teeman from Minnesota: Trey Wood
son. national committeeman from Ken
lucky, and Roger Sullivan of Illinois.
who. while not a committeeman. is
recognized as a potent factor in Hill
nois politics. Also there are Senator
Hughes of New Jersey and Senator
Mark Smith of Arizona
Lusitania Tragedy Discussed.
1t may be we'll understood that
these big democrats talked over among
themselves the Lusitania tragedy. The
Star correspondent Is committing no
breach OF confidence when he states
that this incident was viewed with
grave seriousness by these men, who
represent the democratic party in a
number OF great states.
Resulting from their conferences was
the decision that this Is no time for
mem 70 tax. that the situation is in
the hands of the President and that
whatever he does will be supported.
At the same time. these men did not
conceal from each other the fact that
they regarded the situation presented
by the Lusitania sinking as Of first
Importance not only to the democratic
party. but to the republic
In fact. If I were permitted to depart
little from the confidence imposed by
participation in this conference /
men viewed the situation first from the
patriotic standpoint rather than from
the political Furthermore. still trench
ing upon their Indulgence in the mat
ture to say that they were of the opin-
ION that, while caution and fullest in
Vestlgat1on should, as they know 1T
VIII, govern the course of the admin
istratlon, they are yet convinced that a
positive stand must soon be taken on
the whole subject of Americas inter
ests in the foreign war
McCombs for Declaration.
Chairman McCombs of the national
committee stated the proposition to
ne star correspondent in these words:
recent events in the war area have
oeen more than sufficient to test the
patience OF the American public Per-
maps q strong declaration to all the
powers engaged in the war as to the
posltion OF the United States might
serve TO clear the atmosphere'
Col. Henry Watterson. editor of The
LOUISVILLE Courier Journal. will have
an editorial in that paper tomorrow
oealns with the situation from the
viewpoint OF the Courier Journal. He
Will say. in conclusion:
I'VE must not act either In basta
or passion. This catastrophe ia too
real-the fiashlight 1t throws upon the
methods and purposes of Germany is
too appalling-to leave US in any
douot what awaits US as the bloody
and brutal work goes on
Civilization Called to Act.
"Civillzation should allure it's neu-
trality. 1t should rise as one mighty.
godlike force. and, as far as ifs moral
influence and physical appliance can
be made to prevail and forbid the
riot OF hate and debauch of blood
tnat. IKE madman. is running amuck
tected.
This holy Sabbath every pulpit in
America should send a prayer to God
IN IN protest; every patriotic minister Of
voice in protest. and, more than ali
the Christian President of the United
States. cool and brave man. sprung
from line OF heroes and saints
ceasins longer to protest, and should
hearts of any that he la not merely a
leader In Christ but leader OF men
and nations. and that he holds aloft
the sword OF the Lord and Gideon"