Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-05-31
GERMANY'S PLEA
OF SELF-DEFENSE


The reply of Germany to the note
of President Wilson is substantially
what had been anticipated 1t is one
of self-defens e The main question
that of the sinking of the Lusitania-
is evaded, and the destruction of the
Gulflight is attributed to mistake,
while the German government con-
tends that the Falaba attempted to
escape when it was torpedoed. These
cases, Germany implies can be set
tied by arbitration.
The reply fails utterly to meet the
demands of majority of the pco-
pie of the United States, and the
newspapers which are supposed to
represent the thought of the masses
who always grow FESTIVE at the slow
march of diplomacy are bitter. but
we had better wait and let the heads
of the nation handle the delicate re-
lations between America and the
Fatherland Italy has just plunged
into war. Some of the best Italian
statesmen had for months been at
tempting to check the impctuosity OF
the multitude who were bent rushing
the country into the great conflict.
They signaily failed, and Won Buelow
the German ambassador who had
worked assiduously to keep Victor
Emmanuel out of the vortex, used
significant words in his report to
Berlin. They were few but full of
meaning-"The streets has won.' 1t
is hoped that no such report shall be
made of the United States.
While the Gazette believes that
President Wilson should insist upon
Il more satisfactory reply to this
country's protcstations and that Sc
curity be accorded American vessels
and American citizens, we arc OPP
posed to raShness and prefer to al
low the State Department to handle
the grave issue. Should President
Wilson be compelled to announce to
the people that diplomacy has failed
il will be time enough to vent our
feelings. But we prefer to believe
that the matter is still omen to dis
cuSsion.
Most of the newspapers of the coun-
trv arc rabid at the German answer
and some profess to speak OF the m
tentions of the administration. 1t
NAV be safe to say that such OBJ
scrvations are not even seml-otfl-
cial.
A few papers take more conSer-
vativc views of the. interchange OF
notes and make suggestions that
should be needed until the final out
come shall have become known. One
of our cotempararies says it is pos
sible that the German Government Is
merely sparring for time to save It's
face, and will avoid further outrageS
to American ships and American
citizens.
Another says the German reply
suggests that there may be radical
difference of opinion on terms and
facts. What controversy was there
ever in which there were was not?
without for moment accepting the
German contention, it is recog-
nized that there is German side to
it. The points raised may seem trlil-
ing compared to the main issue set
forth in the Presidents note. But
ran we, as consistent advocates OF
Tho arbitration of international ques-
tons, deny the further consideration
that Germany asks?
Boston papers seem more car"
than others. One says there is GER
tainly nothing in the German reply
leading to the supposition that II is
the deliberate intention of the Ger
man government to provoke the
United States to war. A dignltied re-
proach has been met, if with cau-
ton. certainly with dignity. Let !;
be ours to receive the reply in the
same spirit.
Another speaking on similar lines
saws one thought which inevitably
impresses itself upon those who rea'
Gernany's> reply is that respcc
fer arbitration has developed sud
denly in quarter where it was ne
altogether expected.