The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1915-05-19
WILSON TO DECIDE
JUDGMENT OF NATION in CHIEF
EXECUTIVES HANDS
SHALL We GO TO WAR

President Shuns Advisers and Wres-
ties With Problem All AIone-De-
penGs Upon Sober Thought of Peo-
pie to Guide His Course of Action
and Sustain His Decision.
Shocked and appalled, by the tragic
aspect of the Lusitania disaster, as
hourly developments disclosed its
magnitude and far reaching posi-
bilities and revealed the probable loss
of 137 American lives, President Will
son and his advisors are waiting for
the whole facts and a crystalization
of public opinion to aid in laying out
the course the United States will pur-
sue in this latest international COM
plication-the gravest the president
| has faced since the war began.
Nowhere in administration circles
| is there any disposition to minimize
the 81 uation, but President Wilson,
| while seeking the facts, hopes the
country will assume an examining at
titude and reserve full judgment un-
til all complete information is at
hand.
The president, Secretary Bryan and
| other members of the cabinet were
| visibly depressed. Persons who talk
ed with them found them sick at
heart and grieVed at the horror of the
catastrophe. Notwithstanding that
! warnings had been given, it had been
| regarded as inconceivable by high Of
| ficials that the threatened sinking of
| the vessel actually would be carried
into effect. The fact that the Lusi-
tania was a British ship, flying the
British flag and even had contraband
of war on board, did not remove from
their minds the ever recurrent
thought that a hostile submarine de-
liberately destroyed the ship with the
knowledge that hundreds of defense
| less neutrals and women and children
were aboard.
In official quarters, while the tor
| pedoing of the Lusitania was deplor-
ed, there was much speculation as to
why the swift liner had slowed down
| in the path of submarines. Officers
said it was very difficult for tor
pedo to strike big ocean liner go
ing at full speed and did not under
stand where the British destroyers
could have been when the Lusitanla
was struck in daylight.
Everywhere the attitude of Presi-
dent Wilson was the subject of grave
consideration. Most officials seemed
to agree that it might be several days
| before the policy of the United States
could be formulated because of the
scarcity of official information as to
circumstances under which the Lusi-
tania was sunk. During that time it
was hoped the opinion of the people
of the United States would crystalize
and aid the administration in reach
| ing a decision.
President Wilson, upon whom the
| eyes of the world are focused at the
present moment, studied in quiet Sc
clusion the aspects of law and fact in
| connection with the sinking by a Ger
man torpedo of the British liner Lusi-
tania, with consequent loss Of many
| 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.
The only glimpse of the workings
| of the presidents mind was given
when the White House Saturday
night issued it's first formal comment
on the disaster. The announcement
was made that the president realized
! the country expected him to deal
with the situation with deliberatlon
as we'll as firmness."
After the conference with the presi-
dent at the White House Secretary
Tumulty said: ':Of course the presi-
lent feels the distress and the gravity
IF the situation to the utmost, and is
| considering very earnestly, but very
calmly, the right course to pursue.
He knows that the people of the
country wish and expect him to act
with deliberation as well as firm
ness"
The president, therefore, did not
communicate with Secretary Bryan
or officials of the state department.
Nor did he consult the members OF
the cabinet or congress. He has been
giving such close personal attention
in the last few weeks to the partlcu-
lar questions involved that he was
| thought to be determined first to slit
| for himself the various questions ana
shape a policy to be submitted to the
cabinet within few days.
The president spent a quiet DAY
Sunday apart from his official famlly
and for the most part alone. He
| went to church in the forenoon and
took a ride after luncheon. Most OF
the time he seemed preoccupied and
talked little to his companions.
He sat in his study, it was said, IN
deep thought, undisturbed, for hours.
Secretary aud Mrs. McAdoo dined
with him, but it was understood no
| reference was made to the war situa-
ton. 1t was the first time Mr.. rs
Adoo had visited the White House