Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1915-05-11
Sinking Of the Lusifanis.


The Cunard liner Lusitania, bound |
from New York to Liverpool with a |
passenger list of 1883 and crew of |
nearly 700 on board, was torpedoed off |
the coast of Ireland last Friday by a |
German submarine and it Is estimated |
that ], 256 were lost, only 6S of the 19S |
Americans have been reported saved. |
Before the big ship left New York,
same nervousness was caused by tie
publication in morning papers, an
advertisement warning intending pas
sengers that state of war existed
between Germany and Great Britain
and her allies; that the zone of war
includes the waters adjacent to the
British isles; that in accordance with
the notice given by the German Gov
eminent vessels flying the flag of
Great Britain are liable to seizure.
But this warning, together with
many private kilograms urging Amer
leans not to take passage on the boat
as it was marked for destruction, did
not keep any from taking the voyage.
Such illustrious citizens of this
country as Charles Frohman, the
noted theatrical producer; Elburt
Hubbard, author, Alfred G. Wander
bilt, millionaire were drowned.
Shocked and appalled, by the tragic
aspect of the Lusitania disaster as
hourly developments disclosed its
magnitude and far-reaching possibil-
tiles, with the probable loss of 137
American lives, President Wilson
and his advisers are awaiting for all
the facts and for capitalization of
public opinion to aid in laying out
the course the United States will pur-
sue in this latest international CON-
plication-the gravest the president
has faced since the outbreak of the
European war.
Nowhere in administration circles
is there any disposition 10 minimize
the situation, but President Wilson,
while seeking the facts, hopes that
the country will assume an examining
attitude and reserve full judgment
until all complete information is at
hand.
AS more details began coming in
activities at the White House and the
executive departments of the govern
ment disclosed how much administra-
tion officials realize the tensity of the
situation.
Officials showed by their demeanor
they realized they were facing grave
situation fraught with many posi-
x bilitles, but were giving their imme
date attention to using every avail
able agency to get facts.
Secretary Garrison conferred with
his assistants and Secretary Daniels
conferred with his aids. Everywhere
the attitude of President Wilson was
the subject of grave consideration.
Secretary Garrison cancelled arrange
ments for weeks tour of river and
harbor Improvement in the South, of
his own volition, he said, because he
thought it necessary to be in touch
with his department.
The state department asked Berlin
for report on the disaster. 1t ex-
pressed desire that it be based on
the statement of the submarine COM
mander who made the attaek-assum-
ing that the linef was sunk by sub
marine. In effect the Kaiser's foreign
office was asked if Germany was re-
sponsible for the Lusitania loss with
that of Americans on board. If SO,
full details were wanted.
The request was directed to Am
baSsador Gerard in Berlin TO be pre-
sented to the German foreign office.
Aside from this announcement, Sec
rotary Bryan said: Gan we need 20
tell the public is that we are arriving
at the facts as fast as possible and
doing everything possible for the in
jured."
Pressed for details, the secretary
admitted he had heard someone on
the Lusitania saw a submarine peris-
cope, seemingly bearing out the theory
that the vessel was torpedoed He
would not particularize further.
The desirability of making state
ment concerning the international
legal aspects of the case was urged on
him but for the time he refused it.
A strained calm prevailed in official
circles. Except what Secretary Bryan
said, no statement concerning the
Lusitania case was obtainable. The
White House and executive depart
ments were silent. Nobody pretended
however, to have anything but the
liners destruction and its possible
effect on this country, on his mind.
Just how soon cabinet meeting
would be called TO consider the situa-
tion could not be learned.
ONE of the bills before the leglsla-
ture, is the one which designed to