By Sarah Becker ©2017 WWI: The Centennial “Woodrow Wilson may well have witnessed more dramatic changes in national and global affairs than any other president since [George] Washington,” Carter Smith wrote. “He entered Presidential office [on March 4, 1913] a highly regarded reformer.” His foreign policy was not nearly as aggressive as his domestic. Then talk of war in Europe divided America. On August 1, 1914 Germany declared war on Russia; on France two days later. President Wilson, a Democrat elected on an anti-war platform, responded by ordering wireless telegraph stations to remain neutral. Neutrality was policy with a presidential pedigree. “The United States must be neutral in fact, as well as in name, during these days that are to try men’s souls,” Wilson explained on August 19, 1914. Europe’s continental war expanded when Germany raided Great Britain in January 1915. On May 7, 1915 Alexandria resident, British national and second cabin passenger John Booth lost his life while cruising aboard the RMS Lusitania. The 32,500 ton RMS Lusitania was traveling from New York to Liverpool. Booth, age 35, was sunk; German U-boat Captain Walther Schwieger—with the blast of a submerged torpedo—buried him at sea. London, May 7, 1915…“The giant Cunarder, Lusitania, was torpedoed and sunk off Old head, Kinsale at 3:38 o’clock this morning,” the Alexandria Gazette related. “All details are lacking but, it is reported the passengers and crew have taken to the boats and were saved.” In fact 1,198 passengers died including 128 Americans. Philadelphia, May 10, 1915…“The example of America must be a special example, not merely of peace because it will not fight, but of peace because peace is the healing and elevating influence of the world,” President Wilson said. “There is such a thing as a man being too proud to fight. There is…
On May 7, 1915 Alexandria resident, British national and second cabin passenger John Booth lost his life off the Irish Coast while cruising aboard the RMS Lusitania. Booth, age 35, was sunk; German U-boat Captain Walther Schwieger—with the blast of a submerged torpedo—buried him at sea. The 32,500 ton RMS Lusitania was traveling from New York to Liverpool. London, May 7, 1915…“The giant Cunarder, Lusitania, was torpedoed and sunk off Old head, Kinsale at 3:38 o’clock this morning. All details are lacking but, it is reported the passengers and crew have taken to the boats and were saved,” the Alexandria Gazette reported. In fact 1,198 passengers died including 128 Americans. London, May 8, 1915…“Yesterday’s dispatches stated that no lives had been lost by the sinking of the Cunard steamer Lusitania by a German submarine,” the Alexandria Gazette re-counted. “Late advices, however, dissipated all hope that torpedoing of the steamer had been accomplished without fatalities, and now it is feared that the loss of life will equal that of the Titanic disaster three years ago…” The Germans alleged the British flagged ship had entered a war zone armed. On August 1, 1914 Germany declared war on Russia, on France two days later. Europe’s continental war expanded when Germany raided Great Britain in January 1915. The British claimed the attack on the RMS Lusitania was without warning. “The attack came as a surprise,” The Washington Post said. “Passengers were lunching when water rushed through the vessel’s side.” American minister, the Reverend John Henry Jowett described the German action “as premeditated murder.” The United States as of August 19, 1914 was neutral. Washington, May 10, 1915…“With the full proportions of the Lusitania horror known and with evidences that the [United States] is stirred to its depths over it, all eyes now are turned…