New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-05-08
US. WANTS CERhANY'S
CONTINUED from First Page.)

mittee, said he was not prepared to
discuss the sinking of the Lusitania.
The sinking of a passenger ship, even
of belligerent, without giving pas
sengers an opportunity to leave, the
senator thought a new thing in war;
fare.
Among the senators at the capital
there was general feeling of alarm,
but all refrained from entering into
public discussion while awaiting devel-
opments. The opinion prevailed that
loss of American lives and the man
ner in which the Lusitania was des-
troyed would arouse public opinion
tremendously.
Officials Visibly Depressed.
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, it had been re-
garded as inconceivable by high Of
ficials that the threatened sinking or
the vessel would actually be carried
into effect. The fact that the Lusl-
tania was a British ship, flying the
British flag, and even had contrapand
of war aboard, did not remove from
their minds the ever-recurrent thought
that hostile submarine deliberately
destroyed the snip with the knowledge
that hundreds of defenseless neutrals
and women and children were aboard.
Everywhere that aspect overshadow-
ed the legal phases of the case, for
while there is said to be no precedent
In international law for the attack
without warning on a belligerent mer-
chant man, it was realized that de-
Tense might be made on the charge
that guns were mounted on the deck.
That, however the British government
has denied. @
Representations to Germany.
In many quarters 1t was thought
probable representations to Germany
will be general, covering all the cases
of attacks on American vessels.
In. official quarters and among Dip
lomatists there was apprehension that
the American people might not con-
slider representations sufficient. A
special session Of congress has been
talked of, but there has been no in
timation of it as yet from any official
quarter. ..H
In naval quarters, while the torpe-
doing of the Lusitania was deplored,
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 torpedo to
strike a big ocean liner going at full
speed and did not understand where
the British sdestroyers that would or
rlnarily control the course of the YES
sci, could have been when the Lusi-
tania was struck in broad daylight.
Resumes Reading Dispatches.
Tae president returned to the White
House at noon and resumed reading
dispatches. i
Foreign embassies and legations
were deeply interested in the great
sea tragedy and what had led up to it.
The British embassy had received no
direct advices.
At the German embassy both Count
Won Bernstorff, the ambassador and
Haniel Won Haimhausen, counsellor,
were out of town, but the ambassa-
dor was expected to return late to-
night.
That the Lusitania was considered a
franc tireur'' of the sea by German
naval commanders was stated in Ger
man diplomatic circles. s ..,
The American consul at Queenstown
and vicinity was ordered to render
every assistance to the injured and
survivors, and take testimony
Getting Information.
We are informing ourselves as
rapidly as possible regarding the Lusi-
tania matter" said Secretary Bryan
today, land we are doing what we can
for those injured. We will get all the
information that we can" H