The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-07-11
NEW YORK.
The World.

1t was hardly to lie expected, we sup
pose, that a nation which blew interna-
;ional law to atoms when 1t asssssinated
the Lusitania would fail on occasion to
make some plea in self-defence. even
though a weak one. Presenting no new
argument or excuse except that 1t was
surprised, perhaps appalled,, at the sud
denness with which that great ship went
10 the bottom. The German note now in
hand 10 little more than . repetition Of
the plea, already familiar TO US. that
because Great Britain has violated in
ternational law In its assaults upon
property at sea Germany 10 justined In
| the perpetration OF every crime known
to civilization.
To the extent that the note gives as
surance that American ships will not
be hindered In the prosecution OF legiti-
mate shipping and the lives OF American
/ citizens in neutral vessels shall not be
placed In jeopardy" there is "A distinct
advance over anything that has eman-
ated heretofore from the German For
| eign Office. The further statement.
however, that "the Imperial Government
! is unable to admit that American citl-
zens can protect an enemy ship through
the mere fact OF their presence on
! board" is offensive. and by implication
! is a falsehood.
/ Whatever may be thought or said OF
/ this note, IL is always to be remembered
/ that actions speak louder than words.
For the present We should say that Ger
many is to be Judged more by its deeds
than by its diplomacy. 1t has not been
sinking any American ships OF late IL
has not been sinking without warning
haxf ftae, 4 A,tnaT ri .san ,ln
board. While these conditions obtain,
notes like that now under discussion may
irritate or exasperate, but they need
not necessarily lead TO u rupture.
The Times.
rhe German purpose in this latest note
Il. quite unconcealed. 1t could hardly
be more frankly avowed. She asks US
| TO suspend the law of nations. the
laws OF war and of humanity for hei
| benefit. She pleads that she Is con
/ ducting a war in self-defence and fol
national existence.
Germany may do al! lawful things
that are in her power to protect the
lives of German subjects and she will
bc unchal.enged by us in the perform
anpe of tina; sacred duty. But We mus'
remind her that she cannot be per
American citizens through the measures
she adopts to save the lives of her sub
jeots
That Is our position. that the murder
OF oar citizens shall cease is our de-
nand. How does she reply" Not 10y
those expressions of sorrow and regre
which the fear OF God and the love
Of man make natural to the human
, heart, but by the coldblooded eXplana
/ .iSr that warning to the Lusitania anc
opportunity for the escape OF her crew
and passengers before "A torpedo wa:
nrcl would have meant the sure de
struction OF the German submarine
30 be weak and infirm of purpose now
would be for us a deplorable blunder
That would invite continuation of tn,
coi respondence with all the peril'
therein involved. We must renew with
the emphasis OF brevity our demand fol
the assurances asked for in the preced
ing notes and we must ask to be In
formed with reasonable promptnes,
whether 1t Is the intention Of Germany
to grant or to refuse compliance.
The Herald.
Germany's answer does not "d,savow'
the acts specifically complained of b,
the United States. 1t contains no sug
g-stion of repsration for the 'injurie.
which are without measure" MOI
does 1t contain the slightest assurance
that the German Government will TAX,
i'm mediate steps to prevent the recur
renee OF anything SO obviously subver
sive Of the principles Of warfare"
Germany does not evade the issue
In language the meaning OF which |,
not concealed by diplomatic phrasing Il
declares that the submarine warfare
against commerce is to continue despit,
the American protest that this cannot
lie without disregarding those rules OF
fairness. reason. Justice and humanity
which all modern opinion regards a,
imperative" and despite tho solemn
warning of the Government OF tn,
United States.
The Tribune.
We have come, then, to the crisis
| Thove In laft univ tina ponaihilitv thu