Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-05-12
Presidents Policy in Dealing
With Lusitania Tragedy to
Be in Harmony With Dignity
of United States,
DR.. DERNBURG'S STATUS
SUBJECT OF INQUIRY
Former High Official Of Faith
edand Is Charged With Ut-
teranceS Which Are Dis
tasteful to Administration.
~ aosnlso JOURNAL sreclAl LsAstO w,pfi


washington, May 11.-President
wilson had practically decided tonight
on the first step In the policy which
The United States government viii
. pursue as result of the sinking of
Inc British liner Lusitania with the
loss of more than hundred American
lives.
The president will act promptly
within another day or two. A draft
of a communication to be sent to Ger
many was submitted to the cabinet to
day and approved unanimously. While
no official announcement was made,
Il was learned that the United States
would present and insist upon an ex-
planatlon Of the series of incidents
which have occurred since the procla-
nation Of war zone around the Brit
ish isles---the sinking of the Falaba,
causing the death of Leon c. Thresh-
or, an American citizen, the attack by
German air men on the American
steamer Cushing, the torpedoing OF
the american steamer Gulflight and
finally the destruction without warn
ing Of the Lusitania with a toll OF
more than a thousand lives.
Presidents Purpose Firm.
In what are described by those ia
miliar with the document as firm
and unmistakable terms. the president
voices the intense feeling Of the Unit
ed States over these happenings and
In the name of international law de-
mands an adherence by Germany to
the tablished rules of maritime
warfare. The note asks that some
assurance or guarantee be given here
after that unarmed merchant vessels
carrying non-combatants be visited
and searched when encountered on
the high seas by the Germany navy.
and passengers and crew transferred
to a place of safety before any prize
is destroyed.
The president points out, II is I'M
derstood, that the United States. in
its note, has said that Germany would
be held TO "a strict accountability" for
any attacks on any American vessels
or lives, had not admitted any right
on the part of Germany to carry on
such methods of warfare and declares
moreover that the giving of official
totica OF an intention TO commit an
unjustifiable act did not justify the
act or make II lawful.
Grave Consequences Possible.
What will follow in event of a. re-
fusal by Germany TO comply with the
wishes of the note about to be sent no
one of the presidents official family
would predict. They said the presi-
dent was determined to act firmly and
deal with each situation as it arose. 1t
was pointed out, too. that In his
speech in Philadelphia, in reference
to peace Mr.. Wilson was expressing
merely an ideal that he wished Amer
lea could and would follow.
Persons familiar with the presi-
dents point of view indicated. how
ever. that he was by no means un-
prepared for or unaware of the pos
slble eventualities of the present cri-
sis and knew that circumstances and
events over which the United States
might have no control, might demand
vigorous action.
German Note Unsatisfactory.
The circular from German govern
mont to neutral countries assuming
responsibility and promising repara-
tion for any damage in the war zone
to neutral vessels will not affect the
determined course of the president. 1t
was considered by the cabinet today,
put high officials later pointed out
mat there is no guarantee in it that
the lives of Americans will be safe
guarded, as submarines can not ac-