Bisbee daily review., 1915-05-08
Government of the United States Faces Greatest Crisis Since the War Began Be- tween European Nations
SINKING OF SHIP
 MARKS CLIMAX
Report Received In Washing
 ton That Ship Was Tor pedoed Without Warning;
 Many American Lives Lost

WASHINGTON, May 7-The torpe- doing Of the Lusitania with scores of Americans on board shocked official Washington as had no other incident since the outbreak of the war The feeling widespread that if American lives were lost the United States in view of its strong warming to Ger many. may be confronted with the necessity of taking steps to safeguard the lives of its citizens on the 'bish seas.
 The report that the Lusitania was torpedoed without waming created much discussion for it was the first case of this threatened procedure ear ried out with Americans on board a belliugereut vessel Aside from the diplomatic questions in the ease which are widely discussed the sinking of the liner brought Go light an ntero5t- ing story of repeated threats and varings which reached high officials several days past of the plan of the German admiralty to sink the Lusi- tauia for the physchologieal effect it would have on Great Britain and the terror it might spread among ocean travellers generally.
 The sinking of the Lusitanja marks the climax of a series of incidents since the announcement of the Ger man war zone decree. concerning which the American government has been silent It ie now predicted. even though it developes that no American lives were lost general representa- tious will be made by the United United States covering an the cases involved in the death of Leon Threzh- CT, the American citizen of the Amer- ican steamer Cushing. and the attack on the steamer GmniahJ which was wrecked with the loss of three Amer ican lives.
 Information gathered among of- dcials of the government tended to confirm the belief that plan for the destruction of the Lusitdnia was made several weeks ago In the first the warn passengers, trayeling on bellig- erent ships Anonymous warnings were then sent individuals who pro- posed sailing on the Lusitauia. Most significant of an these were letters received here from officials in Ger many by private persona stating the Lusitauia would surely be destroyed.
 From the day the ship sailed from New York officials here received inc Guiries from many sources almost daily as to the safety of the vessel. One official was told with much posi- tiveuess early today that this was the day selected for the destruction of the vessel The navy radia at Arine- ton has been on the alert for news. and from time to time reported hay- ing picked up messages saying the vessel was sunk
 Inquiry at the navy department each time failed Go confirm the reports and they were not circulated because it was feared they would spread uu. necessary alarm.
 At the German embassy while no comment was made as Go whether it was known there the vessel was 10 be destroyed it was said the embassy knew the Lusitauia carried arms and ammunition, being adyised Of the reso- lution of the German admiralty Co at- tack ships that carried such contra band, officials bad believed she was to be attacked. There was a disposi- tiou on Che part of German officials Co inquire whether the Lusitania car- ricd any guns on her decks. which might place her class as a warship and make unnecessary according to laws of intenauonal awrfare govern. ing this warning