New Britain herald., 1915-05-08
us. WANTS CERhANY'S ]
REPORT ON DISASTER
Bryan Cables Gerard TO Get.
Information on Lusitsnla.
WILSON AWAITING ALL FACTS

WILSON AWAITING ALL FACTS
Before Laying Out Course American
Government VIII Pursue in Gravest
Complication That Has Faced Ad-
ministration Since War Begun.
Washington, May s.--Shocked and
appalled, by the tragic aspect Of the
Lusitania disaster as hourly develop
ments disclosed its magnitude and far
reaching possibilities, with the prob
able loss of 1877 American lives, Pres
ident Wilson and his advisers are watt
ing for all the facts and for a crys-
utilization Of public opinion to aid in
laying out the course the United
States will pursue in this latest inter-
national complication--the gravest the
president has faced since the outbreak
OF the European war.
f Nowhere in administration circles is
there any disposition to minimize the
situation, but President Wilson while
seeking the facts. hopes that the coun-
and reserve full judgment until all
complete information is at hand.
I Realize Tensity OF situation.
AS more details began coming in ac-
tivdties at the White House and the
executive departments of the govern
ment disclosed how much administers
ton officials realize the tensity of the
situation.
{ 80 + "
Secretary Bryan cabled Ambassador
Gerard at Berlin to informally ask the
German government for its report Of
the disaster, and to Ambassador Page
at London he sent messages urging re-
newed efforts to aid the suffering and
gather information.
President Wilson, while he went to
the golf links for his recreation, left
Instructions to be notified of any i'm
portant dispatches.
Cancel Weekend Holiday.
Cabinet officers who had planned q
weekend holiday away from Wash
ington, cancelled their plans, and
Secretary Garrison abandoned a
weeks officiaI trip through the south.
Chairman Stone Of the senate for
eign relations committee, issued
statement counselling calmness and
pointing out that qualifying circum.
stances must be taken into considera-
ton because the Lusitania was bell
igerent vessel. He considered the at
tack on the American steamer Gulf
light much more serious offense
against neutral rights.
Don't Rock the Boat.
Mr.. Stone said: THE tragedy is, OF
Ia
reports as to the loss of life are true,
the sympathies Of the civilized world
will be, deeply stirred But for us, it
seems to me that good sense dictates
that we keep our heads until we get
our bearings. 1t is a bad time to get
ratified and act impulsively. Don't
rock the boat %
Without expressing an opinion as
to our relations to this event or as
to our duty in the premises, there are
some facts we cannot over look and
the bound to consider. We cannot
overlook the fact that the Lusitania
was a British ship flying the British
flag and subject at any time to be put
into the actual naval service Of the
government. Indeed, it is stated that
at the time she was attacked she was
SS@AA SAAies AAhAAAlc1A #IcoCIVlSlS 10 ING
land for service in the British army.
True. there were American citizens
xbut 1t must not be forgotten that they
went aboard a belligerent ship with
fulI knowledge of the risk and after
ofnclal warning by the German gov
ernmnt. When on board British
vessel they We're on British soil. Was
not their position substantially equiv
alent to being within the walls of a /
fortified city? If American, citizens
stay within city besieged or threat
ened and the enemy attacks, what
should our government do If our citi
zens be injured? I express no opin-
ion at this time. / am merely sug-
costing reasons why we should main
tain our equilibrium, and not rock
the boat until I'VE know what we are
about.
Outright More Serious for Us. 4
Aside from the possible loss Of
american lives, let US ask ourselves
just where we come in. AT the pre-
sent moment and with the light now
before me, confess that it appears
to me that, from our standpoint &C
a neutral nation. the Gulfight case
presents more delicate and serious
complication than the case of the
Lusitania.'
Senator Lodge, ranking republican
member of the foreign relations con, -4I
Continued on Tenth Page.)