The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-08-03
FOURTH INSTALMENT.

on the Monday after the sinking of the
Lusitapia. the international situation &c
far as America was concerned had as
sumed genuinely serious aspect. The
newspapers were beginning to discuss tho
possibilities of war: the man in the
street. was, for the first time since the
European conflict began. beginning to
show his colors publicly. Up to that time
most Americans had been content to keep
their war sentiments to themselves; our
German neignbors were the vocal ones
among US, and we were content to ''let
TEN rave"
Now, as IL by common counsel and
agreement. Americans were resenting
German bluster and braggadocio. TIL
loud mouthed fellows at whom we used
TO smile pityingly as they chortled their
German triumph over their beer had sud
denly become offensive to us; we began
TO realize that these people really justified
Gcrmany's ruthlessness: that they had
not been shocked but instead had been
slated by the death of women and
blbies-our women and our babies-on
O.. Lusitania. Some of us realized that
the torpedo that sent the great Cunarder
20 the bottom had ended America e
neutrality and welded our people with the
Allies at one stroke.
Are you going On with this newspaper
projccti" ! asked DR.. Rumely as soon as
met him 1t his hotel.
Certainly. Why not?" he replied
Hard Row for Neutral Newspaper.
"A neutral newspaper will have n hard
row to hoe since the Lusitania sinking"
! answered Il told you last autumn that
America would have to get into this war
some time: this insures it."
That's nonsense" said DR.. Rumely
"You are excited by what the newspapers
are saying. ! admit that it was a blum
der; the Germans are stupid in their
international rcla tons and this was a
mistake that good diplomacy would have
avoided. Bu, it will blow over. Wilson
won't fight have that on the best
authority. Resides. the Lusitania was
really a British war ship
How do you make that out?"
''She carried guns he replied.
That is denied by every one who
knows l rejoined.
'Of course it is denied, but have def.
mite information, that I can rely on, that
the Lusitania not only carried guns but a
great cargo of munitions" he replied,
with emphasis.
II was my first contact with DR.
Rumley's information from reliable
sources" was to hear great dea,
more of the same nature. In the news
Paper business we have a slang phrase
Ia indicate tn. sources Of so-called news"
that cannot be traced to any responsible
Authority. 1t is called grapevine tele-
graph" news. AS an operator on the
grapevine" line DR. Rumely has had
few equals in the newspaper business.
MIR. Mcclure Deeply Concerned.
Mr.. Mcclure was greatly concerned
ever the possibilities for embarrassment
TO the new enterprise inherent in the
Lusitania affair. Il shall have to keel
n strong hand on the editorial page" he
said. 1T will not do to let anything that
could he twisted into an appearance of
rro-Germanism get into the paper now
even though we try to maintain a neutra,
attitude" We had a long discussion, the
outcome of which was a consultation with
DIR. Rumely in which we informed him
that the Evening Mail. so far as interna-
tioral relations were concerned. could not
aud must not take any position except
that of backing up the President of the
United States
Il agree to that" said Dr. Rumely
"The President has asked the American
people to remain neutral; he intends TO
remain neutral himself; we intend to pub
lish a neutral newspaper"
but the President cannot continue to
remain neutral unless Germany disavows
the sinking of the Lusitania." ! replied
"This newspaper must follow him to
whatever lengths that course takes us"
Germany will not disavow the Lust
tania sinking and there will be no inter
national complication" was the Doctors
view. He was certain the President
would not push matters to a crisis.
VERY well. then" I said, II am going
20 put the new management Of the Even
Ing Mail on record to that effect. l ami
going to see the President personally and
tell him that the paper is going to stand
behind him in all international matters.
What shall tell him about the ownership
Of the paper?
THAT it is all owned by American citi-
vcns. of course" replied DR.. Rumely
The President was to speak at Phila-
delphia that night. decided to try TO
see him there or to make an appoint
ment for a later meeting in Washington.