The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1915-06-05
Holding Germany to the Point.

REALIZES BY this time that the Lusi-
tania was no more "warship" than
the Titanic was. It IS probably con
WINGED that there we're no cannon
aboard, and that the ship was not a
transport carrying armed Canadian
troops. We hope # realizes that this
| government had not permitted in
fringement OF neutrality in any re-
spect whatever in its relations with
the Lusitania; that not even the
American law against passenger ships
carrying explosives" was broken, be
cause we have never classed rifle
cartrldge5 as explosives, and such
goods have always oeep carried by
ocean liners.
If the German government really
believed these misrepresentation
Germany has been sadly betrayed by
the blunders OF confidential agents
and the crcdulity of her high officials
The further contention that the Lus-
itania is to be regarded as a warship
because she was expressly included
In the navy list published by the
British admiralty" seems to assume a
strange lack of intelligence on the
part OF the American public. Nearly
every important passenger ship in the
world is so listed All the big British
liners are subsidized by the govern
ment, with the understanding that
they may be taken over in case of war
SO are the German liners. The Lusi-
tania which had not been used except
in peaceful commerce, was no more
"wafship' than are the mormcd Ger.
man liners lying idle in the North
river at New York.
All such petifoggng arguments may
be swept away, and will be- The big
facts In Germany's attitude. as shown
In her reply to the American note of
May 10 and in her current naval ac.
tivity, are that she chooses TO ignore
the presidents noble appeal to her
honor aud her conscience, and that
she wants TO spar for time in the hope
of delaying effective action by this
country while She continues her sub
marine campaign unchanged as the
most effective means of beating Eng,
land And 1t seems as obvious as ever
that in waging this lawless warfare
she cares little for the injury she may
do to neutral nationn, and almost as
little for neutral opinion
The issue. therefore, between Ger.
many and the United States. is becom-
ing clear, and the two sides threaten
to become irroconcilablc. Germany is
determined to use every means in her
power to crush her enemy, even at
the risk OF crushing neutrals who hap.
pen to come between. She respects
us no mere than she did Belgium To
our demand that she dIsavow such
acts MS the sinking of the Lusitania
make reparation for the Americans
slain and promise not to repeal the
|offense, Germany's last note made
this disappointing reply: German
commanders are no longer able to OBJ.
serve the customary regulations of the
prize law, which before they always
followed"
Those regulations require tina; cue
my merchant ships must not be sunk
without letting the sailors and nassen-
gers escape They are the very es.
sencc of International sea law, and
have been recognized heretofore by
every civilized nation IN the world in
every war OF modern times.
There is the crucial point in Ger
mmy's position, aud the menace to
The life, honor aud peace Of every ucu-
trial nation. 1t is Germanys assump.
ton that she alone has the right to
break with IMMUNITY the law of man.
kind, and 20 say what shall be inter.
national law Tor the world her own
necessity" iustities everything. 1t is
rs il single citizen in an American
city should arm himself to the teeth
take possession of the streets. an
nounee new police regulations uf his
own 10 govern the street traffic and
claim the right TO shoot down any.
q. a