The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1915-06-03
THE GERMAN REPLY

AS predicted in these columns two
weeks ago, the reply of the imperial
government of Germany to the Pres
ident's note, received at Washington
on Saturday last. is just what the
Herald prophesied it would be.
1t was somewhat voluminous, con-
tanning over 1000 words, which were
skillfully couched in diplomatic Ian
guage to say nothing. The leading
newspapers of the country denomin-
ate it as "evasive." 1t was much more
than that, it was "ignoratious." 1t
dwelt in the most courteous terms on
the non-essentials of the note, in Ian
guage most polite, in terms most
courteous, in words most concillitory,
and absolutely ignored the essential
parts of the official communion of
the United States. The reply calls at
tention to the fact that the Imperial
government is willing to have the mat
ter of the Gulfiight and Gushing, triv-
ial in comparison to that, of the LUIS
itania, adjudicated by an international
commission, but does not intimate
such an offer in regard to the Falaba
and Lusitania.
1t declared that this vessel carried
cannon concealed between decks, was
loaded to the guards with ammunition
and laden with Canadian troops. Ger
many declares this is the case because
she says so, but does not offer a scrap
of evidence to support the contention.
Possibly this vessel did carry ammun-
ition. 1t may be there were cannon
concealed between the decks, but if
this is the case, they were so, skill
fully concealed that the New York
custom officers, nor any of the pas
sengers discovered them. That she
did not carry any Canadian troops is
matter of common knowledge as
they could not have been concealed
and there has been no Canadian
troops allowed in the United States
since the beginning of the war be-
tween England and Germany.
The intimation is plainly conveyed
that the Imperial government does
not intend in the least to change her
method of submarine warfare. That
it intends, as far as possible to keep
these sea hounds on the trail of every
vessel of every character that she has
the slightest notion is going to enter
belligerent port, and blow them sky
high without note of warning or af-
fording the passengers any opportun-
ity to escape, and that she is willing
to arbitrate the matter after they are
so blown up, and to express regret
and make proper indemification," If
according to her own statements of
the facts, they require such action.
1t is stated in the press that an
other mote" will be sent to Germany
inside of 48 hours. 1t ought to be
sent in four minutes after the receipt
of the German reply.
The day of court diplomacy has
passed in this matter and the day.ot
shirt sleeve diplomacy has arrived.
This note should read: "The laws of
Nations, the Hague agreement and
common humanity declare that neu-
trail vessels and vessels carrying neu-
trail passengers shall not be Destroyed
without examination and search and,
if circumstances warrant their deten-
ton, capture or destruction ample
provision must be made for the safety
of the neutrals. Does the Imperial
government of Germany intend in the
future to abide by this universally &C
copied law of humanity? Gable Yes
or No"
Plainly it is Uncle Sans next move.