The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-05-12
U. 5. MUST ACT OR INCUR CONTEMPT . IF HE WORLD AND
 ITS OWN PEOPLE
 yArnu M nICl.INcnN
Former Secretary of War Issues Strong Statement on Sinking of the Lusi- tania-Urges Calm De .cision
JACOB NJ. DICKINSON

Chicago, Nay 11.-Iacoh M. niekin- son, secretar, of War under President Taft, issued the following statement here fodayi
 .I regard the possibilities of the destruction of American lives on the t.usitania as even more momento"s l." inc nation than those involved In the civil war. N6 question of maintaining repnbIican institutions was then in- voiyed, because, except as tc tte prin- cipIc of secession. the consftt"s1ons or inc two rovernments were practically the same. | have no doubt that If the south had succeeded, disintegration would have set in and that long before this all the states would have neen re- united under one governmenf'
 ..,rhe outcome of the present condition may involve us in a career, in comparison with which. looking to the life of our na- ton. the possibilities of the civil war, In any event, were not comparable,
 Some Action Needed
 Ut is not likely that Germany will dis ayow the purpose to destroy the Lusitanis with full knowledge of the fact that thls involved many American lives. In view ol the result and the warning given by oul government to Germany, some proper ac | ton must be taken, or the American gov 1 ernnent will incur the contempt of tn ! world and the contempt or vast nun Der of its own people
 l ..What action should be taken shoul not be declared in advance by those VII are not officially responsible to the whoi neople for the grave results that may fol ' low 1t would be unwise to have LII public mind committed to particular me of action before the administration sha declare It's purpose. Our judgment and uI | terances as to what course should ! taken should be held in suspense SO tha l the public, without preconceiNed, s' views, shall be ready with an open mind consider the course the admlnistrauo may adopt Our nation has stood eonsi' ,enfly tor pesice and arDitratlon, and q exhaustion Of all proper peaceable meti ods to settle international differences n' fore resorting to arms.
 Tt is especially important that p' riod of calmness should intervene in ol der that our action may not be pronpte by excitement and our Judgment cloude by passion.
 | Could Get Into War
 Tn the present infiamed and ferociou state of the German mind we could easil get into war.
 | ''I lived in the midst of the four veal of civil war, and need no prophet forecast to me what 1t means. Any actio | that may lead to such result should taken calmly. deliberately and with flu appreciation of the consequences.
 Some of those who are most forwal in urging the administration to extren measures may be most backward if tin of great sacrifices shall come.
 "If war comes it should only be upo the condition that we are clearly in tf right and in such event our people shoul with a full appreciation of the possibil ties, resolve to sacrifice themselves ar what they have to the utmost needs
 the country.
 T have great confidence in the Pres dent and believe that he not only VI sustain our national dignity but will e haust all peaceable means, consistent vii our national dignity, before commttif our country to war;