Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-06-01
American Editors
Think Note Euasiue
German Reply to u. S. Demands
Declared to Be Friendly but
Unsatisfactory.
New York Times.

The German reply is not responsive
to our demand. 1t does not promote
that clear and full understanding" as
to grave situation which President
Wilson in his note declared TO be de-
sirable. The manner in which
Berlin receives our representations in
regard to the sinking Of the Lusitania
cannot fail to create n most disagree.
able impression In this country. which
tn" notes outward form Of courtesy
will not remove.
New York World.
Tho German note. in response to the
American protest against submarine
attacks upon merchantmen. does not
meet the issue. 1t is worse than eva
sive. 1t is insncere, even pettifog-
ging. Regret will be felt everywhere
in the United States that the affairs
of great people believed to be friend
~ have fallen into the hands Of men
capable OF such desperate trifling.
New York Tribune.
Germany's answer to our govern
mcnt's protest against the slaughter of
its citizens. peacefully and lawfully
going about their business on the high
seas, will not satisfy American opinion.
Courteous on the surface. as Herr Won
Jagcw's communication is, It does not
strike the note which the people of
this country hoped that it would
strike.
New York Press.
Rerlin's answer to President Wilson's
note is friendly, gracious and-unsat-
isfactory. The point, as made
unmistakable in MIR. Wilson's note, is
that the Won Tirpitz admiralty must
stop Strengthening American citizens.
whether In the case of a Gulfight or
Lusitania. whether by pairs or by
scores. The Berlin Foreign Office
speaks of probable misapprehension
on the part OF our government as TO
the real character of the Lusitania.
There is none; there could be none.
New York Herald.
Germany has ignored the real issue
presented by the American note of May
IT. AS was clearly set forth in that
historic document, the attitude OF the
United States is not based upon any
one of the series Of events cited, but
upon the principle involved in the
method of warfare in which they were
incidents The United States stands
to-day the champion of neutral rights
and noncombatant humanity. In the
case OF Germany versus civilization.
the United States holds a brief for
civilization--and will to the end. Ger
many must respect the rights OF non
combatants travelling upon the high
seas.
New Yorker IN. ~ Herold.
The reply Of the German government
shows conclusivcly that Germany is
most anxious to live at peace with
America. That she desires to be
shown where she is in the wrong is
but natural. and we think fair minded
men will concede that with the vessel
being carried on the navy list as an
auxiliary cruiser. the presumption Is
strong that German submarine officers
thought her armed and ready to offer
resistance.
Philadelphia Inquirer.
The reply is temporizing in nature.
Germany is trifins with the United
States. The real test of the states
manship, and the back bone also. let 1t
be said. OF President Wilson is about
to he made.
Philadelphia Press.
The text of Germanys reply is ex-
tremcly unsatisfactory. II is clear that
the maintenance OF friendly relations
with the German government in the
light of the attitude which 1t has
chosen TO take is going 10 be very
difficult.
Philadelphia Public Ledger.
The reply is. i'm effect, plea Of con-
fession and avoidance. Vague regrets
that leave the main question un-
touched. attempts to put the blame else
where, apologies that reveal willful
misconception OF the enormity of the
offense, are little better than insults
to the national honor.
Washington Post.
Germany's failure to measure the
depths Of American feeling over the
LuSitania case will cause profound dfs-
appointment and uneasiness in the
United States. The American people
shrink with horror from the thought of
going to war with Germany, but It
need not be denied that the failure of
Germany's military government: TO guar
antee the safety of American lives at
sea arouses keen apprehension of flu
ture happenings. This is a time for
moderate speech and careful action.
Boston Herald.
The sooner the President makes
clear that we have no time to waste
III the aSeei ."'''iiio". VI what our rights
are. the better it will be all around.
Boston journal.
From the standpoint of the United
States, the reply is not satisfactory. II
Is not a reply that will satisfy the
President or his advisers. and it will
not. in all probability, satisfy the
American people.
Boston Advertiser.
The note is deliberate and amazing
insult. Through the mixture of ouib.
bles, evasion and untruths, however
there runs this plain message: for the
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