30 “to 50 pounds in a few seconds”: Deposition, George Little, May 15, 1915, “Depositions Removed from Trade Division Papers,” Admiralty Papers, ADM 137/1058, National Archives UK; Preston, Lusitania, 453.
31 Not only that, it struck precisely the right place: Garzke et al., Titanic, 256–60, 263–67; Wood et al., “Sinking,” 174–78, 186, 188.
WASHINGTON; BERLIN; LONDON: THE LAST BLUNDER
1 “If I pondered”: New York Times, Nov. 15, 1921.
2 In fact, apart from a noisy pro-war faction: Resolution, May 16, 1915; Rush Medical College, Resolution, May 16, 1915; College of Dentistry, University of Illinois, Resolution, May 11, 1915; and Tennessee State Assembly, Resolution all in Lusitania Papers, Microcopy 580, Roll 197, U.S. National Archives–College Park; Cooper, Vanity of Power, 33–34; Cummins, “Indiana’s Reaction,” 13, 15, 17.
And may I just say how refreshing it was to read the state of Louisiana’s resolution, in light of the rancor in American politics that prevailed at the time I completed this book:
“Such a crisis as now confronts our country calls for coolness, deliberation, firmness and precision of mind on the part of those entrusted with the power of administration.
“Under the providence of God this country has such a leader in Woodrow Wilson … who with his advisers has so signally shown the temper and courage and great humanity that reflects the sentiment of his loyal countrymen.” Resolution, May 20, 1915, Louisiana Legislature, Lusitania Papers, Microcopy 580, Roll 197, U.S. National Archives–College Park.
3 “the day which marked the end”: Neue Preussische Zeitung, May 10, 1915, translation, Foreign and German Press Analysis, Box 2, Bailey/Ryan Collection.
4 “America does not know what conditions are”: Telegram, Heer[illegible], New York, to Evening News, London, May 8, 1915, Churchill Papers, CHAR 13/64.
5 “There is such a thing”: Berg, Wilson, 364; Link, Wilson: Struggle, 382. Newspaper editor Oswald Garrison Villard, in his autobiography Fighting Years, claimed it was he who had planted the phrase “too proud to fight” in the president’s mind. He did so inadvertently, he wrote. He had discussed the concept with Wilson’s personal secretary, Tumulty, never thinking that Tumulty would pass it along to Wilson. Villard, Fighting Years, 256–57.
6 “probably the most unfortunate phrase”: Berg, Wilson, 364.
7 “I do not know just what I said”: Wilson to Galt, May 11, 1915, Wilson Papers.
8 “I have just put the final touches”: Wilson to Galt, May 12, 1915, Wilson Papers.
Wilson understood that diplomatic notes were likely to have little effect in the short term but believed them valuable all the same. “They alter no facts,” he wrote, in a letter to Galt, dated Aug. 8, 1915; “they change no plans or purposes; they accomplish nothing immediate; but they may convey some thoughts that will, if only unconsciously, affect opinion, and set up a counter current. At least such is my hope; and it is also the only hope for these distracted English!”
9 “the sacred freedom of the seas”: Telegram, William Jennings Bryan to German Foreign Office, via U.S. Amb. James Gerard, May 13, 1915, Foreign Relations, 394; Berg, Wilson, 365–66.
10 “The Kaiser has awarded the Iron Cross”: Cummins, “Indiana’s Reaction,” 24.
11 Wilson himself described Bryan as a “traitor”: Wilson to Galt [undated], Wilson Papers. Wilson wrote: “For he is a traitor, though I can say so, as yet, only to you.”
Bryan’s defection caused Wilson deep hurt. In a letter to Galt dated June 9, 1915, he wrote, “The impression upon my mind of Mr. Bryan’s retirement is a very painful one now. It is always painful to feel that any thinking man of disinterested motive, who has been your comrade and confidant, has turned away from you and set his hand against you; and it is hard to be fair and not think that the motive is something sinister.”
To which Galt replied, “Hurrah! Old Bryan is out!”
12 “a figure in top hat, tailcoat”: Starling, Starling, 62.
13 “Were I the Captain of a U-boat”: Halpern, Naval History, 306.
14 “Dear Old Tirps”: Bailey and Ryan, Lusitania Disaster, 36.
15 “advantageous to the Allied cause”: Hall, Minute, Dec. 27, 1915, “Lusitania Various Papers,” Admiralty Papers, ADM 137/1058, National Archives UK.
16 Kapit?nleutnant Schwieger did his part: New York Times, Sept. 9, 1915; “List of Tonnage Sunk by U-88,” Box 2, Bailey/Ryan Collection.
17 “Dear Kaiser: In spite of previous correspondence”: Cummins, “Indiana’s Reaction,” 30.
18 “Great excitement & activity”: “Capt. Hope’s Diary,” Nov. 5, 1916, Admiralty Papers, ADM 137/4169, National Archives UK.
19 “will have to devote itself to one task”: Scheer, Germany’s High Sea Fleet, 194.
20 “every U-boat is of such importance”: Ibid.