The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 105, July 2001 - April, 2002 Page: 52
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Southwestern Historical Quarterly
Within a few days, Germany accepted responsibility for its submarine
attack, but claimed Britain armed the Lusitania and stored ammunition
in the hold of the passenger liner. News stories quoted German officials
who charged that the Cunard Line recklessly exposed the passengers
and "they alone bear all the responsibility." Not every Texan blamed
Germany for the Lusitania's sinking. Popular reaction in the following
weeks illustrated the divisions that existed in the state. A letter to the
Houston Chronicle said "the loss of American lives rests entirely and exclu-
sively on the British government." Another reader wrote that American
ammunition resulted in great losses to Germany on the battlefield.
Before condemning those responsible for the Lusitania, the nation
needed to confront its role as munitions supplier to the Allies. "We ...
should not be too hasty in our judgment of those who face death in
dealing death, for home and native land." Others placed responsibility
directly on the German government. The ill-fated liner and loss of life
was "an act of cruelty that will never be forgotten or forgiven.""17
Texas editors pursued a cautious position. They condemned the
attack while they urged support for President Wilson's policy of negotia-
tion with Germany. After its reaction to the horror of the passenger
liner's sinking, the Houston Chronicle sympathized with the German
American community in Texas. In an editorial entitled "Our German
American Citizens," the Chronicle urged readers to consider those on
which the "brunt of this crisis falls most heavily." The editors said the
attack should not lead to a break between America and Germany and
noted the local community worked to "lessen antagonistic sentiment in
this country." However, this attitude "does not mean that their loyalty is
in doubt should eventualities come to pass." A month later, the San
Antonio Express, still critical of Britain, continued to advocate neutrality
while defending Germany. The reasons for neutrality "were as plentiful
as blackberries." The Express also praised Wilson's leadership, stating,
"All of us realize that there is a careful and judicious pilot at the helm of
the ship of the state." Many historians consider the Lusitania a turning
point in American public opinion. However, editorial opinions in Texas
apparently maintained a neutral course in spite of the dramatic cover-
age of the Lusitania crisis.'18
After the sinking of the Lusitania, President Wilson sought to expand
the nation's land and naval forces. The president's "preparedness" cam-
paign appeared to some Americans to be a logical response to increased
tensions. Critics, including southern Democrats in Congress, saw the
17 Houston Post, May 11, 12, 1915; Houston Chronzcle, May 9, 10, 18, 1915.
" Houston Chronzcle, May 20, 1915; San Antonzo Express, July 5, 1915; Link, Wilson: Confusions
and Crises, 142-167.July
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 105, July 2001 - April, 2002, periodical, 2002; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101222/m1/60/?q=%22oil-gas%22: accessed July 5, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Texas State Historical Association.