Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1915 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VIII AMERICA'S PROTEST AGAINST UNCIVILIZED WARFARE President Wilson's Great Responsibility--The Note To Germany--Attacks Called Contrary To Rules Of Warfare Warning To Germany Recalled Submarine Warfare On Commerce Condemned Published Warning Declared No Excuse For Attack--Prompt, Just Action By Germany Expected The Whole Nation Behind The President South And West Resounded With Approval. RARELY has a man in any office of life had laid upon his shoulders so great a responsibility as was thrust upon President Wilson by the destruction of more than a hundred American lives in the Lusitania disaster. No heart was more sorely stricken than his by the dastardly calamity, and yet it is characteristic of the man, and to his everlasting credit, that when impetuous minds were urging him to hasty action, his reply was, "We must think first of humanity." A man of lesser stature, mentally and spiritually, would have required a host of counselors. In the great crisis which he faced President Wilson assumed for himself full responsibility. There was the rare spectacle of a man great enough and sure enough to determine wholly within his own mind upon the action he should take. He sought no advice; he eschewed advisers. In solitude he evolved his supreme duty. When, in the seclusion of his own soul, he had fixed upon his policy, he proceeded in the same way to put it into words. It is a thing perhaps without precedent before the administration of President Wilson that the note to the German government, which has become a historic document, was written originally by the President in shorthand. After he had set down the communication in this way he transcribed it on his own typewriter. No official or clerk of the White House had any part in the...
