Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-05-09

that the Gulflieht case. the attack on
+ the British steamer ffaiaha. which re-
suited IN the drowning OF Leon g.
/ Thfeshef. an American citizen, and
the attack by German airmen on the
American steamer Gushing would be
grouped together IN general represen-
tatlons from the United States to Ger
many. While the Faiaba was sunk
after several minutes had been given
for the passengers 60 Escape. presi-
dent Wilson began u careful Invests
CATION uf the legal aspects Of that
ease. 70 that The torpeaolng Of the Lu-
ait0nia required little feaearch fur
Their III that connection. The prob
lfm before him had therefore, re-
solved itaeif Il was understood, 10
purely one If policy what steps
would be taken IL accordance with
the American warning that Germany
would be held to a strict accounta-
bility."
directed Inquiry as % Facts
The president knew before he Me-
tired last night that there had been
a bic loss Ut life He teleph0ned Sec
fetnry bryan them directing an In
curry into the fneta. early today he
went out 10 play golf occasionally
the president thinks out Some Of the
complex problems before him while
walking up ana down HE links When
he returned for lunch he read the Of
fielal DISPATCHES and in the afternoon
took a ride. Apparently he WIS IN
deep thought o. he sped away TO the
Virginia hills, riding IN the front seat
~ the automobile with the chauffeur.
When he returned tonight he talked
briefly with Secretary TumultY who
issued the statement on his behalf.
saying he WAS considering very earn
estly but calmly the right course Of
action 10 pursue. Afterward the pres
ident again went motoring alone.
~urmises as 20 Policy.
While not the slightest intmatiun
came from the White House, officials
In department circles heard variety
Of speeulntions discussed One course
suggested was that a note be sent to
Germany demanding an explanation
Of the occurrence with a request for
an Indemnity Another was that
American ventela hereafter be con-
voyed BY American hattleships and
cruisers The severance OF diplomat
ie relations without an actual deciara-
ton of war with Germany Also was
talked Of informally.
Some kilograms reaching the
White House said the president would
be- supported even II he thought war
WIN necessary to defend American
rights on the high seas. other mes
saRes Counseled peace and declared
the country WIS solidiy opposed to
becoming involved Ia The European
conflict.
Want Al Facts First
Steps thus far taken by the AmerI-
can government have been confined
to formal inquiries. Ambassador
Gerard was instructed to ask the Ger
man foreign office 10 obtain through
the admiralty Il report from It's SUBJ !
marine aA 10 what the circumstances
Of the disaster were. No expression
Of opinion was sent nor WAS there any
inquiry for the attitude of the Ger
man government This will be de-
veloped in subseauent correspondence
after the facts are gathered from Ger
man official sources.
Ambassador Page was also Instruct
ed 20 obtain all the facts which the
British government or survivors might
furnish the embassy at London, The
American consuls reported as rapidly
as they compiled the lists of names of
the American survivors.
0versIiadGws Everything Else.
Secretary Bryan late In the day an
nouneed that sixty-nine Americans
had been reported as saved and that
several were known to be dead The !
remainder were missing. Arrange
ments were made To ISSUE the lists Of
names through the night us fast as
they were received. The White |
House and state department received !
scores of Inquiries by telephone and
telegraph.
All other government business was
temporarily uvefshadowed The far
eastern situation In which overnight a
crisis had been averted, WIS lost sight /
of, as also Was The reported anneXa-
tlun Of Belgium by Germany There |
was but one topic Of conversation
everywhere the dramatic sea trag-
edg.