Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-09

as q potent argument Tor tho vossofs
destruction.
OTHER INCIDENTS TO
DE GROUPED TOGETHER
Tho impression prevailed tonight
that sinking of the American steamer
Gulnight. tho attack on the British
steamer Falaba, which resulted in tho
drowning OF Leon c. Thrcsher. an
American citizen. and the attack by
German airmen on tho American
steamer Cushing would be grouped to-
gether In general representations from
the United States to Germany.
President Wilson began careful in
vestigation on the legal aspect OF the
Falaba case, so that the torpedoinE OF
the Lusitania required little research
further In that connection.
VARIETY OF SPECCLATIONS
DISCUSSED IN WASHINGTON
While not tho slightest intimation
came from the White House. officials
in department circles heard a variety
Of speculations discussed. One course
sugg ested was that note be sent to
Germany demanding an explanation OF
the occurrence, with a request for an
indemnity. Another was that Ameri
can vessels hereafter be conveyed by
American battleships and cruisers.
The severance OF diplomatic relations
without an actual declaration of war
with Germany was also talked in
formally.
Some kilograms reaching the White
House said the President would be
/ supported even II he thought war was
necessary to defend American rights.
Other messages counseled peace, and
said the country Was solidly opposed
to becoming entangled in the European
conflict.
Nowhere in administration circles Is
there any disposition to minimize the
situation. but President Wilson, while
seeking the facts. hopes the country
will assume an examining attitude and
reserve full judgment until all COM
plete information Is at hand.
AS more details came in. activities
at the White House and the executive
| ii e partments OF the government dis
closed how much administration Of
hcials realized the tensty of the situa-
! ton.
GERMAN GOVERNMENT
ASKED FOR REPORT
| Secretary Bryan cabled Ambassador
Gerard at Berlin to Informally ask the
! German government for It's report Of
in London he sent messages urging re-
gather Information.
/ President Wilson went to the golf
links, but he left strict instructions
that he be notified OF any important
dispatches.
! Chairman Stone. ef the Senate For
eign Relations Committee. issued q
/ statement counseling calmness and ad-
visinE don't rock the boat"
! The President. Secretary Bryan and
other members OF the Cabinet were
visibly depressed. Persons who talked
/ with them found them sick at heart
: and grieved at the horror OF the catas-
trophe. notwithstanding that warn
| ings had been given, II had been re-
garded as inconceivable by high Of
! fcials that tho threatened sinking of
/ the vessel actually would be carried
| into effect. The fact that the Lusi-
| tanie was British ship. flying the
| British flag. and even had contraband
OF war aboard. did not remove from
their minds the ever-recurrent thought
that hostile submarine deliberately
| destroyed the ship with the knowledge
that hundreds of defenselesa neutrals
and women and children were aboard.
NO MOUNTED GUNS ON
! DECK OF THE LUSITANIA
/ Everywhere that aspect overshad-
/ owed the legal phases OF the case. for.
| while there is said 10 he no precedent
! in international Law for the attack
| without warning on belligerent mer-
/ chairman, II was realized that defense
! might be made on the charge the guns
| were mounted on the deck That
however. the British government had
denied.
In official quarters there was appre-
hension that the American people might
not consider such representations sui.
fcient. special session o. Congress
has been talked OF. bu, there has beer
no !ntimation OF It as yet from any
Official quarter
All officials were sparing in their
comment
"we are informing ourselves a.
rapidly as possible Of the facts, and
doing what we can for those injured.
was the only statement Secretary Bryar
would make.
Other international development.
were completely overshadowed Tn,
annexation OF Belgium by Germany va.
hardly commented on. The Far Easter
crisis. now apparently avoided. va!
almost totally eclipsed
SPECULATION AS TO WHY
LINER HAD SLOWED DOW,
In naval quarters. while the torpe
doing Of the Lusltania was deplore6
there was much speculation as TO VII,
the swift liner had slowed down in tn
path OF submarines. Omcers said (,
was very difficult for a torpedo to strik
, big ocean liner going at full speed
and did not understand where tn
British dcstroyers could have bee
when the Lusitania was struck In broa,
daylight
. Foreign embassies and legation
were deeply interested in tho grea
sea tragedy. The British embassy ha
received no direct advices TIL
French. Russian and other embassie
manifested much concern
: Al the German embassy both Coun
Won Rernstorff. the ambassador. an
n Hanicl Won Iaimhausen. counselor
were OF def