The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-05-15
PAPERS STANDING
With PRESIDENT
New York Editors Express
Unanimous Confidence
in Wilson.
PRAISE NOTE TO KAISER
Responsibility for Future Action Now
with Cermany-Momentous De-
velopments Possible.

New York, May 14-Calmness of
attitude and a belief in the confidence
which the public reposes in President
| Wilson marked the editorial COM
ment upon the American note to Ger
many in the New York morning news
papers. All agree that the RESPONSE
bility for future action. and moment
Gus sction it may be. now rests with
Germany.
! Extracts from leading editorials fol-
low:
! American-In opening the broad
question of the legality and propriety
of a submarine blockade the Presi-
dent has abandoned the safe and firm
basis of obvious and unquestioned
| American rights and ventured upon
the debatable ground of international
| exigency and morality, and opened
the way to a retort which 1t will be
difficult for the United States to bear
| calmly. We may be subjected to an
| affront which we have invited or
forced into a position of undue and
| undesired aggression. The issue will
| depend entirely upon the German
governments present difficulties and
its unwillingness to add to its COM
| plications.
Times-An depends on Germany.
If she makes the disavowals and gives
| the assurances the President de-
! mands We shall all rejoice that she
stands by her own traditions and by
those rules of fairness. reason, JUS
tice and humanity which all modern
nations regard as imperative" Should
she deny us then we shall know that
she repudiates reason, justice and
humanity.
Sun-The President has spoken
firmly. The country. supporting him
as firmly, awaits without passion the
German reply.
Press-With relieved and grateful
| satisfaction, therefore, We say that
| this note to the Berlin apostles of
lawlessness may carry conviction be-
cause behind the words of the chief
solve of the American people to en-
force it.
Tribune-As to the German government
and the German people. there can be no
American who does not honestly and
earnestly trust that the way the Presi-
dent has opened for them will be fol-
lowed. Deep as is our anger. nationwide
as is our Indignation not yet do Americans
desire to go to war. and not from mere
desire to avenge our murdered fellow
citizens are We anxious to take up arms
again. But there could be no more fatal
error than that of installing our temper.
our purpose. our long history. Wronged,
we have offered Germany a peaceful So
luton in the present crisis.
His Cause Good.
Worldly the strength Of his case and
moderation of his tone, the President has
made it easy for Germany to do right
as to do wrong. II he is to fail in his
efforts. it will be in good conscience and
in good cause.
Herald-Naturally the mind turns to
consequences. The position of Washing
ton as it is generally understood is that
it will do nothing to invite war.'If Ger
many takes offense at the Presidents
note 1t may declare war upon the United
States IL 1t wishes. On the other hand.
if the German reply does not fulfill the
ideas of right as clearly expressed by
President Wilson. then another bridge Is
10 be crossed. because it will have been
reached. And if another American ship
is torpedoed. the only thing to be done
will be to start the Atlantic Fleet toward
the war zone.
nation waited for the President to frame
its utterances. With tenfold confidence
and calm it now prepares to stand by
message the dignity and directness of
which will make it forever memorable
amongst state papers.
The country neither seeks war by
threats nor does 1t shrink from war by
taking back a syllable of its earlier rep
reservations. 1t still hopes to see Ger
man influence engaged on the side of
justice and humanity.
Telegram-We are waiting. To hint at
what Germany will reply would be a.
bad as to forecast what the President
will do in the event Of refusal