New York Times Current History: The European War, Vol 2, No. 3, June, 1915 | Page 2

SCRIABIN'S LAST WORDS 591
CHRONOLOGY OF THE WAR 592

THE DRINK QUESTION (Poem) 612 From Truth

[Illustration: H.M. QUEEN ELIZABETH
Queen of the Belgians. Though Born a Bavarian Duchess, She Has
Equaled Her Husband in Devotion to Belgium
(Photo from Bain News Service.)]
[Illustration: KRONPRINZ WILHELM AND HIS FAMILY
The Kronprinzessin Cecilie and the Little Princes Wilhelm, Ludwig
Ferdinand, Hubertus, and Friedrich
(Photo by American Press Assoc.)]

The New York Times
CURRENT HISTORY
A MONTHLY MAGAZINE
THE EUROPEAN WAR
JUNE, 1915

THE LUSITANIA CASE
President Wilson's Speeches and Note to Germany
History of a Series of Attacks on American Lives in the German War
Zone
President Wilson's note to Germany, written consequent on the
torpedoing by a German submarine on May 7, 1915, of the British
passenger steamship Lusitania, off Kinsale Head, Ireland, by which
over 100 American citizens lost their lives, is dated six days later,
showing that time for careful deliberation was duly taken. The
President's Secretary, Joseph P. Tumulty, on May 8 made this
statement:
"Of course, the President feels the distress and the gravity of the
situation to the utmost, and is considering very earnestly, but very
calmly, the right course of action to pursue. He knows that the people
of the country wish and expect him to act with deliberation as well as
with firmness."
Although signed by Mr. Bryan, as Secretary of State, the note was
written originally by the President in shorthand--a favorite method of

Mr. Wilson in making memoranda--and transcribed by him on his own
typewriter. The document was then presented to the members of the
President's Cabinet, a draft of it was sent to Counselor Lansing of the
State Department, and, after a few minor changes, it was transmitted by
cable to Ambassador Gerard in Berlin.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WASHINGTON, May 13, 1915.
The Secretary of State to the American Ambassador at Berlin:
Please call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs and after reading to him
this communication leave with him a copy.
In view of recent acts of the German authorities in violation of
American rights on the high seas, which culminated in the torpedoing
and sinking of the British steamship Lusitania on May 7, 1915, by
which over 100 American citizens lost their lives, it is clearly wise and
desirable that the Government of the United States and the Imperial
German Government should come to a clear and full understanding as
to the grave situation which has resulted.
The sinking of the British passenger steamer Falaba by a German
submarine on March 28, through which Leon C. Thrasher, an American
citizen, was drowned; the attack on April 28 on the American vessel
Cushing by a German aeroplane; the torpedoing on May 1 of the
American vessel Gulflight by a German submarine, as a result of which
two or more American citizens met their death; and, finally, the
torpedoing and sinking of the steamship Lusitania, constitute a series of
events which the Government of the United States has observed with
growing concern, distress, and amazement.
Recalling the humane and enlightened attitude hitherto assumed by the
Imperial German Government in matters of international right, and
particularly with regard to the freedom of the seas; having learned to
recognize the German views and the German influence in the field of
international obligation as always engaged upon the side of justice and
humanity; and having understood the instructions of the Imperial
German Government to its naval commanders to be upon the same
plane of humane action prescribed by the naval codes of other nations,
the Government of the United States was loath to believe--it cannot
now bring itself to believe--that these acts, so absolutely contrary to the
rules, the practices, and the spirit of modern warfare, could have the
countenance or sanction of that great Government. It feels it to be its

duty, therefore, to address the Imperial German Government
concerning them with the utmost frankness and in the earnest hope that
it is not mistaken in expecting action on the part of the Imperial
German Government which will correct the unfortunate impressions
which have been created, and vindicate once more the position of that
Government with regard to the sacred freedom of the seas.
The Government of the United States has been apprised that the
Imperial German Government considered themselves to be obliged by
the extraordinary circumstances of the present war and the measures
adopted by their adversaries in seeking to cut Germany off from all
commerce, to adopt methods of retaliation which go much beyond the
ordinary methods of warfare at sea, in the proclamation of a war zone
from which they have warned neutral ships to keep away. This
Government has already taken occasion to inform the Imperial German
Government that it cannot admit the adoption of such measures or