The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-23
THE PRESIDENT IN HIS DAY OF TRIAL.
HOW HE MET THE LUSITANIA CRISIS
NJ noon.

WINK Ins buS1IbUla nOTTOT, wnen ne
shut himself within his private study.
violating himself from the world and
With grim determination fought
through to q finish tho course this
nation should pursue in respect 10 the
imperial Government Of Germany.
Seven nights and six DAYS they
vere OF strain and anxiety such as no
President has been called upon TO
bar since Abraham Lincoln I'M
finchingly faced the onrush OF civil
var. For no living man could fore
tall what might happen should the
United States be forced into hostilities
By a mighty engine OF military
strength, unsurpassed in relentless
power save by that corresponding en-
zine which enabled Napoleon Bona
parte to sweep the continent Of
Europe for twenty years before he
finally was crushed by the most over
vhelming coalition Of civilized Gov
mments recorded In history.
In this present crisis stands a single
6gure. upon his judgment. upon his
moral stamina plus his physical cour-
az, balances the destiny OF a nation
numbering a hundred millions. What
sort OF man is he7 What are those
traits OF character inbred through
generations which are now seen OF all
TIE world? What did he do during
those seven nights and six days?
What did he refrain from doing7
How did he arrive at the momentous
decision proclaimed in that note. preg-
nan, with possibilities and signed
With the name Bryan" which he
wrote with his own hand and ordered
10 be cahled TO Berlin?
These are questions which thought
ful men and women are asking. and
an effort will 10 made to crafty their
natural and patriotic interest without
overstcpp!ng the bounds which
SHARPLY separate the official life OF
every President from his personal or
private life.
For upward Of n century an unwrit-
ten law has prevailed regarding the
disclosure of that which is said and
done IN the White House until the
White House itself issues statements
thereof to the public. This law, still
unwritten, Yet is rive;ed with steel;
Il Is Ike unto the laws of the Modes
and the PerSians and Is respected OF
all men who have access to the eXecu-
tive offices. In that which follows
there j. no violation either OF its spirit
or of is well understood provisions.
Twice each week. on Tuesdays and
IN FRIDAYS Tho President, meets the
Vasbippfor corrosno,den,s NJ news-
ranars ruhlisb.d q, al ~ tho rrea,
ci,ies A. , certain hour no IS waiting
e, his o,ura seated hefora his desk
ss n us,,al thin, and when they enter
they unconsciously ,.roun themselves
IN , scmi-clrcle somewhat remove
from his desk and ask questions. TO
whi.b no renIies-as a rule directly.
,e,soi,
Or Friday Nav 7 he met Thorn "a
us,a, and later went about his work
as Executive of the nation. until sud
denly n ~portentous message
oN Tho tolccra,b wires. The Great
nsssenrer Steamer I.usitania had been
tornedoed Nv a German submarine
.h.ra had haen n terrific e~xnlos,on On
hoard tho sh,n had sunk. nrohably
a thousand lives had been lost. among
them MANY Americans
Jus, a hare statement. that nrst
-asaa a.ao,oou,, L. H. go =,
bu,le,fr. but in the fash of q single
thougb, i,s overnouer,np ,nno-.ance
WIS comprehended by the President.
Better far better than any other he
saw tho possibilities therefrom result
.ng. Ha was NOT TUNED as some
un,nformed corresnondents wired their
mners hut he news ~ the tragedy
fell uron him with full force.
A short. nuick walk in the omen air.
Shen hack "a the White House. To
his secretary he said he was going 10
hs pr,vate s,udy. ,b,, he must M, he
disturbed Then ne wont IN 10 that
room IN tho second story Of tho White
House. the old Cabinet room adjoining
the circular lbrary-to think the
s,uat,o, az, % erj,h FRIDAY r,pht
And Saturday nassed nv. and Saturday
a,sht and Sunday and Sunday night
1nd Monday
No unen mr. other papers were
thought N him says those he sent for.
No person saw him w,thou, being
Wummonad cave one-Dr Cary Gray-
Son mia nersona, nhva.c,an who has
IN tis keenInr the President health
ana strength nnon which 40 much de-
ponds.
Within a few hours after news had
arrived ~ tho Lusitania tragedy te,e-
grams commenced 10 pour in from all
over the country. Within n day or
so between 1900 and 1000 had arrived.
The President read almost all OF them.