Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1915-05-14
WILSON WILL ACT
With F|RMNESS
KNOWS PEOPLE WISH RIGHT &C.
TON TAKEN IN LvsiTANiA
MATTER.
It's AMERICANS LOSE LIVES
Government Learns Inflated Liner
Was Not Armed and Therefore
Not Liable to Attack I'm.
der Law.

Wo6llAuStOus M0y ~. ASosASAAs
Wilson, on whom the eyes Of the
ment, is studying in quiet secluston
the aspects Of law and fact in connec-
tion with the sinking by German tor
pedo of the British liner Lusitanta,
with loss of lis American lives.
The great human tragedy. coupled
with the responsibilities Of the hour,
caused the president to deny himself
to all callers, even to members OF his
official family, while he turned over
in his mind the course to be pursued
by the United States government in
one of the most serious crises in its
history.
Wilson'S First Word.
The only glimpse Of the workings
Of the Presidents mind was given
when the White House ISSUED its
first formal comment on the disaster.
The announcement was made that
the President realized the country ex-
pected him to deal with the situation
with elaboration as we'll as firm-
ness"
After a conference with the Prtsi-
dent at the White House, Secretary
Tumulty said:
"Of course, the President feels the
distress and the gravity OF the situa-
tion to the utmost and is considering
very earnestly, 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 de-
liberation as we'll as with firmness."
Carried No Arms.
One important fact was definitely
ascertained by the Washington gov.
eminent from the port authorities at
New York, who gave clearance to the
Lusitania-that she carried no guns,
either mounted or unmounted, in &C.
cordance with the caution of the
tate department and the British gov
eminent early in the war.
This disposed, in the minds of Of
ficials, Of the claim that the German
submarine had right to attack the
Lusitania because she was an auxil
larry or converted cruiser. Officials
of the Cunard line are understood to
have stated that the Lusitania was
not conveyed.
No Excuse Under Law.
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
without warning on ship with hun
dreds Of noncombatants aboard, in
GLIDING neutral men, women and
children.
The position Of the United States
has been that the presence of contra
band-even arms and ammunition
according to the rules Of international
law, including the declaration of Lon
don, which Germany has upheld, can
not warrant the sinking Of mer-
chairman without the previous exer-
else of the right Of visit aDd search
and the removal of noncombatants to
q place Of safety.
Germany Was Warned.
The government stated this in its
last note to Germany and at the same
time issued warning that the i'm
perial German government would be
held ITO a strict accountability" by
the United States for any loss Of
American vessels or lives.
The suggestion that the warnings
by the German embassy in newspa.
per advertisements should have been
sufficient to deter Americans from
travelling aboard ships flying the
British flag was widely commented
VpOA among diplomats.
No Official Notice.
At the State department, Secretary
Bryan revealed that the embassy's
warning had never been officially
communicated to the State depart.
ment, and that since the announce
ment by the German admiralty in
February Of It's proclamation of
war zone, the American protest and
the reply from Germany saying the
government would disclaim RESPONSE
bility for accidents to neutrals, the
subject for several weeks had not
been officially mentioned between the
Berlin and Washington governments.
Italian Troops to Front.
London, May 1O.-A Copenhagen
correspondent sends the following:
"A private message from Berlin states
that italy yesterday called to the
colors all infantry classes from 1876.
Many trains loaded with troops are
proceeding to the front"
MRS. cARMAN ACQUITTED