Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-05-08
WASHINGTON GREATLY DIS
TuRRED AND SHOCKED BY
SINKING OF LUSiTANlA.
OFFICIALS SAY ALL
RIGHTS WE'RE VIOLATED
Germans Expected to Set Up Claim
That Lusitania Was Auxiliary War
Vessel and Carried Guns-Wi'sons
Warning to Germany Recalled and
Guesses Made as to Action.

Washington, May S.-News of the
torpedoing of the Lusitania struck Of
fcial Washington stunning blow
Nothing since the European war opened
has caused such excitement and such
apprehension.
Since anonymous warnings were
given her passengers and since the
warming notice was published to Amer
leans not to sail on allied ships 1t was
not a complete surprise. Naval off,
GERS have had a strong impression she
was to be blown UP from inside
But as a matter of fact few believed
The German threat would be carried out
and that an attempt would be MADE
% send great numbers of American
passengers to their deaths without
giving them a chance to take to the
boats.
Rights Violated.
The dispatches are to the effect the
vessel was torpedoed without warning
60 passengers to leave her. rms, II
true means utter disregard for the
International rights of Americans on
BOARD. True. the Germans will make
the CldlIu Inc LuSlldilAe1 90 CHA eNA->AAA
airy vessel for the British navy, but 1t
is well known that primarily she was
d great passenger liner.
The question all Washington is
asking is. What is this country going
to do about it?"
Government officials have not an
swered and they will, of course be sure
Of their facts before acting. But there
is no question entertained here that
public feeling in America will be great
ly stirred.
Series Of Acts.
Because Of the chain Of acts of the
Germans aimed at this country, such
as the attacks on the Gushing and the
Gulfiight, and the disregard of the
rights of American passengers on the
Lusitania, there are reports that the
president may call an extra session OF
congress.
But whether he does or not, the
gravity of the situation is such as to
dismay officials. They awaited with
the most intense anxiety information
whether Americans had lost their lives
In the disaster. It is believed here that
the Lusitania torpedoing will be fol-
lowed by other like acts.
CONGRESSMAN Sims, of Tennessee,
prominent democrat. said that whether
American lives were lost made no diff
ference IN principle II the submarine
struck before the passengers were
given chance to escape. He said the
warning by the German embassy was
not due warning in the sense of inter-
national law.
What Will U. S. Do?
The warning Of the United States
that Germany would be held to a
"strict accountability for the loss of
american lives" irrespective OF
whether they were aboard belligerent
or neutral vessels when attacked
focused attention on the White House
where President Wilson until late in
the night read the dispatches with
grave interest The president made nc
comment.
Secretary Bryan. Counsellor Ian
sing, senators and members Of the
house who were in the city. waited uI
until late hour for definite news Of
the passengers and crew of the sunker
ship. Earlier in the day they construed
the positive announcements from
abroad that no lives had been lost as
final, but later advices dashed theil
hopes.
Officials said facts and circum-
stances would have to be obtained BY
careful investigation during the tex
few days before any announcer emit
could be made by the American gov
eminent
The disposition among high Of
fcials was not to take hasty action
but to wait the British adniralty's re
ports and results Of the investigation
Of Ambassador Page.
Attack Carefully Planned.
- r. tot
of the government and in diplomat
quarters confirms the belief that tn
plans for the destruction OF the Lus
tania were made several weeks age
First, the Government embassy wa
Instructed 10 advertise Z. the lca5in
newspapers of the United states warn
ing passengers against travelling Of
belligerent ships Anonymous warnin
then was sent to individuals who pro
posed sailing on the Lusitania. Mos
significant of all were letters receive
here from officials in Germany by pri
vate persons stating that the Lusitani
surely would be destroyed.
From the day the ship sailed fror
New York, officials here have receive
inquiries from many sources almos
daily as to the safety of the vesse
One official was told with much posi-
IlVeneSS early COudy tNdl tIllS was III
day selected for the destruction of tn
vessel.
At the German embassy here, Will
no comment was made as to whethe
II was known there that the vess'
was to be destroyed, it was said tn
embassy knew the Lusitania carrie
arms and ammunition and, being a6
vfsed Of the resolution Of the Germa
81 admiralty to attack ships that carrie
such contraband, officials, had believe
She would be attacked.
sSs No Guns Carried.
The officials at the state departing,
said they had not heard that the Lus
f tsilliisss car iied any guns.
At the British embassy It was n
vea1ed that early in the war aftt
the United States government ha
been consulted on the question
sman guns Tor the big liners, the n