The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1918-02-08

w 1lSOu, thS a1AlCl 1SeN!h
convoy fleet, were anxiously awaited.
President lHflscn was at the thea
ter at 9:45 o'clock tonight when the
official announcement was forthcom-
ing from the committee on public in
formation. He was attending a vaude-
Vile performance. Officials of the
committee could not say whether the
message sent over to the White
House had reached him.
Secretary Baker was given the first
news of thee occurrence shortly after
he had returned from the capitol
where he had been facing a cross
fire of questioning before the war
prcbers all morning. 1t was ct his
suggestion, it is understood, that de-
tails were held up until hope OF fur
tier survivors had dwindled.
News of the disaster spread through
the national capital like the flames
of a prairie fire Members of con-
gress seemed staggered over the dis
aster, though ever since the United
States first began the tremendous
task of transporting troops across
the three thousand miles Of infested
water some such disaster had been
expected by the military and naval
exprts. Congress has grown callous
But the taciturn men in uniform at
the war and navy department, in
close touch daily with the risks be-
ing run. have aged years in the last
nine months of watching.
The rainbow division, the first con-
tingent of national guardsmen to &c
across are already behind the lines
in France.
Night Attack.
From the hour at which the first
flash was received here. about }
o'clock, it is assumed that the attack
was made about dusk or later:
If that is the case it represents an
other invitation in the form of at
tack. -.
The news OF the disaster was sen.
first to London from the British con-
voys, and thence flashed to Washing
ton.
First news of the disaster was re-
ceived by the war department in
cable. Up to II p. m. the navy de
partment had received nothing what
ever, through dispatches from Admir-
al Sims were momentarily expected.
Senator Swanson, of Virginia, chair
man of the senate naval affairs COM
mittee, had the official announce
ment read to him over the telephone
by the International News Service,
He was deeply affected. Not only
does the sinking Of the Tuscania
mark the first big American casualty
loss, but likewise the first transport
of any of the enemy's of Germany
sunk in pany months. 1t was re-
garded as an ominous sign OF the
German intentions that the whole
sinking of American troops on the
vessel should come almost at the
anniversary of Germany's resump-
ton of unrestricted submarine war
fare. It was February I, 1917. that
the new submarine decree went into
effect that resulted in Americas en-
try into the war.
Capital Excited.
Rumors flew thick and fast all
about Washington concerning the
names Of the units on the T'uscania.
officials urged that no currency be
given these rumors for fear that
false alarms are known to have been
en- route.
President Not Informed.
With the president at the theater
was Mrs Wilson, Mr.. and Mrs. Julian
Boiling and Miss Helen Woodrow
Bones. A crowd Of nearly 1000 per
sons were waiting the presidents
exit from the theater.
Police chased foud-voiced news
boys. crying the first extra descrio-
ing the disaster, from the block.
Every effort was made to keep the
president from finding out the news.
Newspaper men were summoned
from various parts of the audience
by their bureaus and gossip Of the
tragedy ran like wildfre along the or
chestra rows. The news did not
reach the presidential box even
though many of the vaudeville per-