The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-05-14
PUBLIC OPINION TO
HELP POINT WAY
peEsipENT PROMISES TO PRO-
cEED WITH DELIBERATloN
AND FIRMNESS.
Probable That Special Session Of Con-
oress Will be Called to Provide
steps for Safe Conveyance of
American Passengers.

Washington. Just what will be the
course pursued by the United States
following the sinking of the Lusitania
and the loss of lis American lives, is
the question being propounded on ev-
cry side.
All eyes are focusseed upon Presi-
dent Wilson, who, since the announce
ment OF the terrible tragedy ON the
Irish coast, has been studying in quiet
seclusion the aspects of law and fact
In connection of the sinking by
German torpedo boat Of the British
passenger vessel with consequent
loss of probably 1000 lives.
After conference with the presi-
dent at the White House Saturday
evening, Secretary Tumulty said: "Of
course the president feels the distress
and the gravity of the situation to the
utmost and is considering very earn
estly, but very calmly, the right
course of action to pursue. He knows
that the people of the country wish
and expect him to act with delibera-
ton as well as with nrmness."
1t is generally believed that the Am
erican representatives abroad will be
instructed to obtain all the particulars
of the sinking of the Lusitania, and
that Germany will be asked for an ex-
PLANTATION of her action, while Great
Britain's side of the story will be re-
quested.
Hasty action will not be taken, in
any event. The decision which the
president and his advisers must reach,
it is admitted in all quarters, is NOM
entous one. Those officials convers-
ant with the legal aspects of the case
point out that the United States faces
grave and serious problem of lasting
Importance in history, as all the world
-neutrals and belligerents alike-will
wait with acute expectancy for the
course which the United States shall
pursIk to preserve the rules of inter-
national law, particularly the rights of
neutrals with respect to the safety of
noncombatants on merchant ships at
sea.
One important fact was definitely
ascertained by the Washington gov
eminent Saturday from the port author
| tiles at New York, who gave clearance
to the Lusitania-that she carried no
guns either mounted or unmounted, in
accordance with the caution of the
| state department and British govern
ment early in the war. This disposed
in the minds of officials the claim that
| ~
the German submarine had a right to
attack the Lusitania because she was
an auxiliary or converted cruiser.
Officials of the Cunard line are under
stood to have stated that the Lusitania
was not conveyed.
These facts, in the opinion of law
officers of the American government,
left the German submarine no excuse
under law or reason for an attack with
out warning on a ship with hundreds
OF noncombatants on board, including
neutral men, women and children.
The position of the United States has
been that the presence of contraband
even arms and ammunition-accord
ing to the rules of international law.
including the declaration of London.
which Germany has upheld, cannot
warrant the sinking of mechantman
without the previous exercise of the
right OF visit and search and the re-
moval of noncombatants to a place OF
safety. The government stated this in
its last note to Germany and at the
same time issued a warning that the
imperial German government would be
held ito strict accountability" by the
United States for any loss of Ameri-
can vessels or lives.
1t is regarded as probable that a
special session of congress may be
called to take action in the matter. 1t
is not believed that the special ses-
sion will be for the purpose of declar-
ing war, but for providing ships for
the safe conveyance to Europe of Am
erlcan passengers and American goods.
Wants Two EXPLANATIONS