Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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>' STRUCK BY TORPEDO - novsiiiiwsuisgortwrEiuiio iilsonjjtciBE; LUSITANIA IS SUNK CRAPIIC STORY OF TORPtBO- INfi OF LUSITANIA SHIPS RUSHED TO RESCUE THE 1253 PASSENGERS ON BOARD UNER HIT AT TWO O’CLOCK SINKS IN IRISH SEA WASHINGTON BY ON CUNARDER AND ITS HUNAN LOAD ATTACK The Cunard liner Lusitania, one of the fastest ships afloc-t, was torpedo ed and sunk Friday afternoon off the coast of Ireland, ten miles south of Kin sale. She had aboard 1,253 passengers. She sailed from New York last Satur day, May 1, and carried in addition to her own large passenger list 163 passengers transferred to her from the Anchor line C’ameronia. Of the 1,253 passengers, 290 were first cabin, 602 second, and 361 steerage. The news of her sinking was an nounced by the New York office of the Cunard line and was based on cable advices received from the home office of the company In Liverpool. Three dispatches received in the or der named, were made public by the line, and read as follows: ‘‘YVe received from the Land's End wireless station news of repeated dis tress calls made by the Lusitania asking for assistance at once. Big list. Position ten miles south of SEVEN HUNBRED SAVED 1 GREAT SHIP MOVED SLOW WAITED FOR SURRENDER SHALL WE GO 10 WAR MANY WOUND! 0 DIE London reports: All reports re ceived on the Lusitania loss tip to Saturday accounted for not more than 500 or 600 of the approximately 2,- 000 people on tbo ship. In ono of the reports a shlifs steward, who landed with others at Queenstown, gave It as his opinion that more than 900 persons were lest. There wove de.-.d and wounded among those brought ashore: some since have died. But not a name of rescued or lost, of dead or injured, has been listed. The Lusitania was steaming along about ten miles off Old Head, Kin- sale, on the last leg of her voyage to Liverpool, when about 2 o’clock In the afternoon a submarine suddenly appeared and, so far as all reports go, fired two torpedoes without warning at the steamer. One struck her near the bow and the other in the engine room. The powerful agents of destruction tore through the vessel’s side, caus ing terrific explosions. Almost im* mediately great volumes of water poured through the openings and the Lusitania listed. Boats, which were already swung out on the davits, were dropped over board and speedily filled with pas sengers. A wireless call for help was sent out, and Immediately rescue boats of all kinds were sent out from neigh boring points along the coast and Queenstown. But within fifteen minutes, as one survivor estimated, and certainly within half an hour, the Lusitania SEARCH FOR NEGRO BURGLAR JUDGMENT OF NATMN IN CHIEF ends Disastrously ,t executive’s hands 1 ; As Liner Zigzagged Across Irish Sen Passengers Sight Submarine—Tor> pedo Track is Seen as Weapon Leaves Boat—Explosions Are Ter- if rifle. How tho Lusitania was sunk, the story of the fight to save tho passen gers, tho struggle for life In tho water after the giant-liner disappear ed—the story of what happened ia the great marino tragedy,was re lated by survivors. While thco is much conflict in thoir narratives from them have been gathered facts which, when assembled, form a story which stands only second to that of the Titanic disaster. The Lusitania was steaming ilong on the last log of her voyage to Liv erpool, making 16 knots. It was about 2 o’clock in the afternoo.n The day was clear and calm. The sun was shining brightly. —«nd for tho Tvrwt to took a ft* oft or 1 ttoo time tolkod little to hie com He sol Iff His Thinking Thai Negro is . Unarmed - .... —c-,..'. •. .<m, Watcher Lets Him Approach la Safety—When Three Feet Away Load of Shot Tears Through Breast, Causing Instant Death, Marlon is in a tourmoil of excite ment as a result oi the bloody trail left by i. t-egro desperado, who la riinning ami hiding In the swamps _ neir that city, and who has already I bilities and revealed the probable loss shot and slightly wounded Sheriff J. of 137 American llreii, President Wll- M. Dozier and killed H. dwell Cook,! son and his advisors are waiting for a well known contractor, both of' the whole facts and a crystalization whom were trailing the negro. j of public opinion to aid in laying out Early Saturday news reached Ma- the course the United States will pur- rion that some one had broken into sue in this latest International com- the store of the Davis Supply com-j plication—the gravest the president pany of Eulonia, ten miles south of ' Marion, and Sheriff Dozier, accom panied by Rural Policeman G. A. Davis, started by auto for the scene of the robbery. President Shuns Advisers and Wren, ties With Problem All Alone—De> , pends Upon Sober Thought of Peo ple to Guide His Course of Action and Sustain His Decision. Shocked aw appalled by the tragic aspect of the Lusitania disaster, as hourly developments disclosed Us magnitude and far reaching possi- has faced since the war began. It was a beai.tlful day at sea. the corporate limits of the city they 1 In the morning tho speed of the met a negro, who carried a number Nowhere In administration circles is there any disposition to minimize the situation, but President Wilson, _ , , while seeking the facts, hopee the Just as the officers were leaving ; CO untry will assume an examining at- Kinsale. Subsequently received tel-, egram from Queenstowns that all bad disappeared, available craft in the harbor ha 1 Many Survivors landed. been__dispatched to assist." j The Cunard Steamship company re- The second message to the New j ceived the following message from York office read: ’’Queenstown, 4.59 Liverpool: ’Queenstown wires that p m.—Wire begins about twenty First Officer Jones thinks from 500 boats of gjl sorts belonging to our! to 600 saved. This includes passen- line are in vicinity where Lualtanla; gers and crew, and is only estimate sunk About fifteen other boats afe we are able to make In meantime making for spot to render assist ance. The third cablegram was dated Liverpool and read: ’’Following re ceived by Admiralty—Galleyhead. 4.25 p. m —Several boats apparently survivors southeast nine miles Green steamer proceeding to assist.” PaNMengers Snved? Other dispatches from London. Liverpool and Queenstown confirmed the news. One of the messages said It was believed all the big liner’s pas sengers had been saved. The weather Is favorable for res cuing the l.usttania's passengers, ac cording to a cablegram to the Cunard line from Sueenstown. It read*: •‘Weather here beautifully line. Wind southeast light.” lAte Friday thj Canard line re ceived this dispatch from Queens town: “Large steamer Just arrived in we are going through hotels, lodging I houses, ete.f to-night and will wire to-morrow fullest possible list. In | meantime, injured and dead are tak- i ing up all our^ attention.” The Cunard company announced that at R.29 o'clock p. m. they re ceived the following message from Liverpool: “The admiralty have had a message from Queenstown saying between 500 and 600 landed at Queenstown, including many hospital cases, some of whom have died. Also number landed at Kinsale hare dlod. (Signed) Cunard.” Hit While Passengers Lunched. The tug Ltorm Cock has returned to Queenstown bringing about 150 survivors of the Lusitania, principal ly passengers, among whom were many women, several of tho crew and one steward. Describing the experi ence of the Lusitania, the steward vicinity and apparently rendering said: ■istance. Tugs, patrols, etc., now on the spot taking boats In tow. Motor fishing boats with two Lusitania boats bearing probably for Kimale “The passengers were st lunch when a submarine came up and flrod two torpedoes, which struck the Lus itania on the starboard side, one for- Ixtnrioti reports: The funard line! ward and the other in the engine steamer Lusitania with 1.253 pas- room. They caused terrific explo- sengers was torpedoed at 2 o’clock, sions. ten miles off Old Head. Kinsale, lre-| “Captain Turner immediately or- land. and later went down. lt_is be-1 dered the boats out. The ship began lieved her passengers are safe. No | t o list badly it. mediately, details, however, are at hand. Onoi ••'r en boats were put into the message received here says “it is not water, and between 400 and 500 pas- known h(j\v many of the Lusitania’s Ronfrers entered them. The boat in passengers were saved.” j which 1 was approached the land with Relief Immediately was sent from three other boats, and we were pick- Queenstown. She floated a reason- e ,t U p shortly :iftcr 4 o'clock by.the able time before going dowh. Queenstown reports: News receiv ed from the steamer Lusitania 3.35 p. m. said that before sinking her life boats were over her sides. ’London reports: Tfte Cunard Hue gave out information to the effect that there are about 20 boats in the vicinity of Hie spot, where the Lusi tania went down. Sixteen more boats, the line said, hayv been dispatched to the spene fof resche work. The twenty boats on.the spot belong »o the Lusitania. The sixteen^Qther boats were, sent to the scene fron^ nearby points. Queenstown reports: As soon as news of the torpedoing of the Lusi- tana was received the naval station dispatched all assistance available. The tugs Warrior, Stormrock and Julia, five trawlers, and the local life boat in tow of a tug were hurried to sea. Washington reports: News of the Storm Cock. “I fear that few of ’the officers were saved. They acted bravely. “There was only fifteen minutes from the time the ship was struck until she foundered, going down bow foremost. It was a dreadful sight.” The other steamers with survivors are approaching Queenstown. Hundreds Died of Injuries. The Central News says that the number of the. Lusitania’s passengers who died of injuries while being taken to Queenstown will reach 100. 188 Americans Aboard. Thef&"'were 188 American passen gers in all aboard the Lusitania, ac cording to a compilation made late Friday at the Cunard offices at New York. The British numbered 956, and other nationalities made-up the remainder of the 1,253 passengers aboard. 8even Hundred Are Saved. torpedoing of the Lusitania struck! A di8patch to the st ate department official Washington like a • early Saturdayf r om American Consul While disposed to Frost at Qu^ei^town stated that the „ tall , s ’,9' 11 , a ^/ nin 8t [j tl0 * n °5 0 C ™ h r 0 e hiJ total number of survivors of the Lusl- ized that the incident was P r ot ,a t*ly • » an i_ _. as a K 0 ut 700 the most serious Washington has fac- ^ consul j B di sp a t ch gave a par-. ed since th$ war began. President Wilson showed keen anx iety to learn whether American lives were lost. He made no comment. Officials believed there would be no complications unless American lives were lost. * Should any American lose their lives, the case would be covered, of ficials thought, b the warning to Germany that she would, be held in that event by the United States “to a strict accountability.” tiaUlist of Amietican survivors, but .did not say definitely whether any Americans had been lost. A statement, issued by the British admiralty, says the total number of survivors of the Lusitania is 658. It is believed that only a few first class passengers were saved, as they thought the ship would remain afloat, and made little effort to escape. point of speed was not disputed. # *v. i r. When the Lusitania saHed^some The Lusitania was one of the larg- nervousnes8 had been caused because vessel had been reduced by Capt. Tbrner when off Fastnet, probably in fear of scattered mines. The ship was gliding along smoothly. Moat of the saloon passengers were at lun cheon. Some had quit the saloon and were on deck. A majority of tho sec ond class and steerage passengers also wero on deck. \ Passengers lolled In steamer chairs or played at quoits. Others lined tho railings, peering anxiously out ovar. the water. For there was much ner vous tension duo to tho ever present peril of submarine attack. On the bridge a sharp lookout was being kept. Shrrply at 2.05 tha sig nal was given from the bride: "Full speed ahead.”’ The liner plunged forward under the new impetus. The whole of the ship's company seemed to feel the thrill of the new movement. Pas sengers on deck flocked to the side. Suddenly a cry rose from scattered points of vantage on the starboard side. “There's a submarine.” < About a thousand yards off the starboard bow passengers saw break ing the sun-glinted surface the sleek hull of a dreaded under-water craft. It rested for but a moment on the surface, then as quickly submerged. This apparition was the only warn ing given. There was an impetuous rush to the side of the ship on the saloon deck. On the saloon deck faces reflected more of curiosity than fear. Among the other classes aboard excitement fast gained hold and panic was incipient. Anxious eyea were turned to the bridgu. The first flush of the excitement had Just passed when there arose a more ominous cry from the watchers: “There’s a torpedo r-'ming straight at us.” ’ From the point wuere the sub marine sank, a great while streak, the track of the torpedo, was traced. It was aimed slightly ahead of the Lusitania, but as the liner plunged forward at great speed, the track seemed to veer more and more to ward a point amidships until it struck fair between the first and second fun nels with a dull thud There was great tearing of metal, followed by a terrific explosion in the stoke hold. The ship trembled from stem to stern. The decks seemed to rise under foot. The liner settled as If sorely wounded. A great column of steam and water rose and coal and wood splinters were hurled high and fell in an avalanche on the upper deck. The liner appeared to falter, then steadied as the helm was swung over and her course was directed for land. But before she could answer to her helm a second torpedo pierced her bow. About four minutes intervened between the two. Some passengers state that not only a second but a third torpedo struck the ship. It is generally beHeved, however, tbot the explosion of the second torpedo was mistaken for the impact of a third. It was while the ship was piaking 21 knots with a heavy list to star- hoard that the order was given, im mediately after the second missile struck, to lowe r the boats. Among the saloon passengers rela tive calm prevailed. It was the gen erally accepted idea tiiat the Lusi tania would float. Cool heads coun selled calm and the more timorous were quieted. Many of the first cabin passengers went about their depar ture leisurely, some even remaining at table until luncheon was conclud ed. Below the scene enacted wap wide ly different. Women, many of them with babies in their arms, became panic stricken. Officers and passen gers did their best to calm then*. Fumes arising from the explosion permeated the ship and many fell un conscious to the deck. Meanwhile the crew struggled valiantly to lower the boats. But due to the high speed of the vessel and the heavy list the boats fouled the davits or could not be swung out to clear the side. Finally upward of 20 boats were put into the water. Several were swamped when they struck the water; of packages and a, shotgun. The sheriff stopped the machine and ask ed the negro if he was the man who committed the burglary at Eulonia. It is not known what the negro said, as the sheriff at this time is In charge of the large posse in pursuit of the desperado, but as result of the questions asked by the officer the negro Is said to have dropped his packages, levelled the single barrel led shot gun in his possession, and fired point blank at the officer, the load narrowly missing his face, which was badly powder-burned. The negro then jumped a fence at the roadside, and while the officers fired at him several times ran through an open field and disappear 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 bad 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 Lnal- tanla 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- tor hlmaelf » v - •*«!»»xSSFwBm ‘t 4 Toto | day •MdteflV -v. • ‘ est trans-Atlantic liners, as well as one of the speediest, She was built In Glasgow In 19Q.6. She was 785 feet long. Her gross tonnage was 32,500 and her net tonnage 9,145. She was owned by the Cunard Steam ship Company, Ltd., of Liverpool. Her captain was W. T. Turner. The Lusitania was a product of tfce race for speed which was carried on for years among trans-Atlantic steamship companies, particularly of Eagland and Germany When the was launched she was the'^ it thgr own rink of the publication in the morning papers of last Saturday of an adver tisement warning travelers that a state of war existed between Ger-- many and Great Britain %nd her al lies; that the war tone Includee the waters adjacent to the British Isles; that In accordance 'with notice given by ’ the Gerznan government vessels flying the flag of Great Britain are liable to destruction In those waters, and th^J travelers sailing In the‘war tone of Great Britain or her allies do The advert!sc ot the maritime World.r Her Met was sigaed “Imperial German of ed in Smith’s swamp. Word was sent i, . , j ^ to the city for assistance, and within | ,e88 neu ‘ raI * M,<1 women 4,1,1 ehlldr * n a short time a large posse was in pur- < were a® 0 **®, suit. Mr H. Elwell Cook was among) In official quarters, while the tor the number who responded to the.l >edo tog of the Lusitania was deplor- call, and on reaching the-home of Mr. I ed , there was much speculation as to B. B. Baker, he crossed the open l he swift liner had slowed down country between that place and Cat-[In Ih® path of submarines. Officers fish creek and stationed blmaelf on' sa * d H wa * very difficult for a tor- the bank of a ditch Just in the edge 1 J** 10 to strike a big ocean liner go of the thick swamp. Other men were * n g at full speed and did not under located nearby. j stand where the British destroyers At about 11 a. m. the negro ap- could have been when the Lusitania peared in the open field near Mr. wa s struck in daylight. Cook and, gun in hand, approached Everywhere the attitude of Preel- hlm. After getting within a few feet | dent Wilson was the subject of grave of him the negro fired at him, the | consideration. Most officials seemed entire load taking effect in the left | to agree that It might be several days before the policy of the United States could be formulated because of tbe scarcity of official information as to circumstances under which the Lusi tania was sunk. During that time U Mr breast, just above the heart. Cook expired almost Instantly. Mr. Armltage Brooks, a farmer, who standing at a point not far dis tant. hearing the shot, started to wards the seen* of trouble, when he j was hoped the opinion of the people saw the negro fleeing toward tbe of tbe United States would crysUllse swamp. Mr. Brooks fired twice at and aid the administration In reacb- the man. who fell and scrambled, around In tbe bushes. Mr. Brooks thinking that he had wounded or kill ed the negro, ran over to Mr. Cook, who died Just as he arrived. ing a decision. President Wilson, upon whom the eyes of the world are focused at the present moment, studied in quiet se clusion the aspects of law and tact In f i? 1 !.* 0 n *» b * ck J t fu W . h ?[ e tb ® ne * TO connection with the sinking by n Ger- fell it w as found that there was no n, an 0 f u ner k 00<1 ' 1>ut . that th ® d -P®todo wtt), a consequent loss of many had left his cap and gun at that point. Amoric*n Hvp« Hundreds of men are scouring the! ' swamps, and It is feared a lynching ..T 11 ® * reat hu ”“ may follow If the man la f ound "I 11 ' to® •’••PonMblHMea of the hour, Bloodhounda are en route from Chad- T aue ® d P™ 1 *® 01 to d®®* ‘“moolf bourne. N. C.. and will be placed on I to a ’! J* 11 ®™’ ® T ®° 0 members of his the trail. The negro Is unknown In 5) a .w’ wl1 ® h ® to rn ® d 0T ® r this .section, and the only clue to his j * n h * a “V 1 ?. toe eourse to bp pursued identity is some scraps of naner I b> tbe nlted States government in paper| found in his coat pocket, which he lost In the woods. These papers in dicate that he ia from Georgetown. It is thought that the reason Mr. Cook allowred the negro to approach him so closely was due to the fact that it was known that the negro was endeavoring to i>ell the gun snd eight shells early Saturday morning prior to the trouble with Sheriff Dozier, v Remembering that one shot had been fired at the sheriff and that seven shells were found in the coat, Mr. Cook evidently thought the man was coming up to surrender to him. Mr. Cook was a popular citizen and a member of several secret orders. Mrs. Cook fainted when told that her hus band had been killed. Good order prevails despite the great excitement. Sheriff Dozier seems to bear a charmed life, for, al though he has been fired at twice re cently, he has not suffered a w T ound. Only a few months ago a negro at Pee Dee, Marlon county, shot at the sheriff with a pistol at close range, the bullet passing through the breast of the officer’s coat. from the ship. Life belts had been distributed among the passengers but many pas sengers did not wait to equip them selves with tho preservers. Some jumped over the Hide and were knocked unconscious when they strnek; others leaped with life belts on and swam to overturned boats, there to await the crowing of oth-r swimmers to right the craft. Slowly the Lusitania filled forward and her bow dipped deeper Into the water. Finally the big liner slowed down and seemed to settle aa If she had rum her race aad. was sprat. The ft* call for help. On the bridge stood Capt. Turner with his executive offi cer beside him directing the hopeless fight. In the water men and women struggled for their lives. Five boats remati)ed entangled at the davltiir With affinal lunge forward ; the Lusitania sank. Not more than 20 minutes had elapsed.since the first torpedo struck *her. She went down by the head. As the big liner>took her final plunge, most oUtttose remaining on deck leaped, ^ome struck the sides. Others jumped clear and struck away. It was here that most of the lives were lost. A swirling maelstrom closed In, bthets were capsized “in 7he"sweiit 8UCklng 171111 11 hundreds upoh hun dreds of lives. A great hole seemed to open up where the Lusltaqla had been and Into It there poured those who, 20 minutes before had been chatting gaily on the gleaming decks of the greatest steamship on the At lantic. Five boats went down with the ship. From the shore seen through glasses in the hands of one of the coast guard there appeared to rise a curtain of vapor and smoke which hong low. obscuring the scene. When the veil lifted the ship was gone. From what aurvivpra any it is safe to aasume that » tbe water within yards of the ship when It aaak waa one of the most aerioua crises In Its history. The only glimpse of the workings of the president's mind was given when the White House Saturday night issued its first formal comment on the disaster. The announcement was made that the president realized the country expected him to deal with the situation “with deliberation as well as firmness.” After the conference with the presi dent at the White House Secretary Tumulty said: “Of course the presi dent feels the distress and the gravity of 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.” j The president, therefore, did not communicate with Secretary Dryan or officials of the state department. 1 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 particu lar questions involved that he was thought to be determined first to sift 1 y caught in the under drag. Many of the boats which were overturned had been righted with great difficulty. To others still bot- 6m up swimmers clung helplessly. Many clung to wreckage. Boats cruised about, picking up the survi vors. First of the rescue boats to arrive was a trawler. Quickly the first boats were emptied and then shoved off with oarsmen to pick up further sur vivors. When the last of the survi vors. When /he last of the survivors was taken aboard the shipa sped for land, most- of them to Queenstown. First ai<j was administered on board but many of those rescued -were be yond help and died on the way In. Tugs and trawlers remained on the scene to pick up the bodies of those drowned. Many rescued were severe ly maimed from the effects of the ex plosion which scattered steel frag ments broadcast. * Survivors generally are agreed that no warning.wq* given by the subma rine and that everything within hu man power waa done to save all on board. Capt. Tarner went down with his •hip h*l was picked ap three hoars irtg every one In i later. He had heap able to save him- a radios of self with tfes old of a Ufa halt aad his MaXoT r&stiksIK deep thought, andlstarhad, tor hoars. Secretary aad lira. MeAdoo Stead with him, bat It was andorstood no reference was made to the waff situa tion. It was tho first tlma Hr. is*. Adoo hod visited the White Honse since he was operated on a few weeks ago. \ : v.y When the president wont motoring, he rode alone, on the front seat, re volving In his mind the most impor tant problem of hla administration. When he returned to his deck Sun day night, he fonnd the pile of tele grams had increased. They bad been coming In scores from all parts of the country. ** Many urged the adoption of severe measures. Several, among them a few from working men’s organizations, advised a declaration of war as the surest preventive of farther affronts to American dignity. Others suggest ed a severance of all diplomatic re lations until adequate reparation and apology were made. Still others counselled a peaceful course, bat ad vocated firmness. A few messages justified the sinking. INSERT B .. He did not consult with Secretary Bryan or others of hts cabinet, and it Is significant that the president has not. communicated with any of his advisers since the Lnsttanla went down. Cabinet members were con spicuous by their absence from the White House. The responsibility Is his and he wishes to be guided by the wishes of the people, uninfluenced by the views of hts associates, cabinet officials have been given to understand, until he is prepared to pteee before the cabinet the policy he believes this government should adopt An important utterance to the American people Is expected in ad vance of the cabinet meeting, how ever, when the president goes to Philadelphia to address 4,000 newly naturalized rltlxens there. Whether the president will disclose any hint of the coarse this govern ment Is Inclined to pursue Is the momentous crisis caused by Ger many's destruction of the LesitanU was not disclosed. But it was Indi cated that he will deliver a message appealing to the people to be calm In the face of the ertsis aad permit the government to work oot Us policy un is formed by public clamor. States st this time when tbeoteol Official desire is to keep down anti- German demonstrations in the United States at this Urns when the conn try Is at white heat. The greeteot pres- snre is being brought to beer on the preetdent by public optaioe. as It has thus far found expression, to adept strictest measures The view has beoa eipnesefl la opinions of public men roach teg tho White House that It will bo fatllo to treat this latest outrage with diplo matic notes. Tho strong terms of tho note to Germany on tho ar sons placed the government la a position where It most act vigorously, the prod dent has been advised la communications reaching him. Germany mast bo made to under stand that there Is a limit to which toleration may wisely bo carried, writers of thses communications de clare. Suggestions that tho United BteCaa break off diplomatic relations jrtth Germany or that tbe Oormaa mer chantmen tied up at American ports be seised snd held as soearfty for Germany making reparation tor tho arts committed, will not bo disc Based st the White Honse or stats depot t- ment. All Officials have adopted tho policy of waiting for tho president to apeak. The president, officials point out, has considered tho human side of tbe tragedy, which deals with the ruth less destruction of American liven, and the legal slle to which the Ger man government points for Justifica tion In slnplng an enemy's ship. The one danger In the present sit uation that is alajrmtn* Washington la to at a wave of anti-German senti ment now rollfn# up In this country may force the government to action before It has determined Its coarse by due deliberation. Secretary Bryan, who spent the day at home also, received many mes sages bearing on the situation simi lar to those that came to the White House. The decision which the president and his advisers must reach. It was admitted in all quarters, is a momen tous one. Those officials conversant with the legal aspects of the ease pointed out that the United States faced a grave and serious problem of lasting Importance in history, as all the world—neutrals and belligerents alike—would wait with acute expec tancy for the course which the United States would pursue to preserve the rules of international Jaw, particu larly the rights of neutrals, with re spect to the safety of non-combatants on merchant ships at sea. 1 Panama for Concrete Bolldlnga. The Panama government and rail road have decided to build all hnnase of concrete. This new departure .was adopted after the recent dlMstrouS fire. . , Edison Gets Medal. Thtalss A. Edison has ed the gold medal for dt public service which was 1 given to Colonel George W. * Taft Commends In aa address before the sip legislature ex-Presideat warmly commended the i policy of Praetdeat Wilson. I _ Ten Killed to Italy. » sou- blew np a powder Urfc .