The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1915-05-08
President Wilson and His Ad-
vices Are Waiting for All
Facts and Public Opinion.
SITUATION IS VERY TENSE
Chairman Stone, of the Senate
Committee Issues a State
ment Advising Calmness.

WASHINGTONp May O. SnoChSO
and appalled, by the tragic aspect OF
the Lusitania disaster as develop
ments disclose its magnitude and far
reaching possibilities with the proba-
HE loss OF 81 American lives, Presi-
dent Wilson and his advisers are
waiting for all the facts and for
crystiIlization of public opinion to aid
in LAYING out the course the United
states viii pursue in this latest inter
national complication. the Sravest the
president has faced since the outbreak
OF the European war.
Nowhere in administration circles
is there any disposition 10 minimize
the situation but President Wilson.
while seeking the facts, hopes that
the country viii assume an examining
attitude and reserve full judgment
until all complete information IS al
hand.
White House is Active.
AS more details began coming in.
activity at the White House and the
executive Departments Of the govern
ment disclosed how much administra-
ton officials realize the tension OF the
situation. Secretary Bryan caoled
Ambassador Gerard at Berlin 10 IN
formally ask the German government
Ambassador Page at London he sent
messages urging renewed efforts 10
aid the suffering and gather informa-
ton.
President Wilson. while he Went 70
the golf links for his recreation. left
srict instructions 10 be notified OF any
important dispatches
CsImness is Urged.
efsn relations committee. issued
statement counselling calmness and
advising Don't rock the boat" Chair
man stone pointed out that qualifying
circumstances must be taken into
consideration because the Lusitania
was a belIigerent vessel but he con
sidered the attacks on the American
steamer. Gulfiight. much more ser
ious offense against neutral rights.
The president, Secretary Bryan aud
other members of the cabinet We're
visably depressed. Persons who
talked with them found them sick at
heart and grieyed at the horror OF the
catastrophe.
High Officials Supplied
Notwithstanding that warnings had
been given IL had been regarded as
uncomfortable by high officials that the
threatened sinking OF the vessel
would be actually be carried into
effect. The fact that the Lusitania
was a British ship flying the British
nag and even had contraband OF war
aboard did not remove from their
minds the ever recurrent fact that a
hostile submarine deliberately de-
stroyed the ship with the knowledge
that hundreds of defenseless neutrais
and women and children were aboard
Everywhere that aspect overshad-
owed the legal phase of the case,
while there is said TO be no precedent
in International law for an attacS
without warning on a belHgerenr
merchantmen 1t was realized thai
the defense might be made on the
charge that guns were mounted on
the deck. That. however. the Brit
ish government has denied In many
quarters IL was thought probable
that representations 20 Germany Win
be general. covering all cases OF at
tack on American vessels.
The president returned TO the
White House at noon and resumed
reading dispatches He continued to
refuse 10 make any comment