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