The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1915-05-13

Center of All Eyes.
With the full proportions of the Lus-
ftania horror known and with many
evidences that the country is stirred
turned to the course which will be pur-
sued by President Wilson and his ad-
visors.
1t is not too much to say that not
only the eyes of the neutrals Of the
world, but those Of the belligerents as
well. are fastened on Washington.
Late today the president will go to
Philadelphia to address a gathering of
1000 na%turalized Americans
for by the bureau Of naturalization of
the department Of several
weeks ago, to launch q systematic
course in the instruction Of aliens in
the rights and duties Of American citi-
zenship. 1t is generally expected that
he will refer to the situation produced
by the sinking Of the Lusitania, though
not divulging definitely the course the
United States government intends to
pursue.
Stand on Technically.
However, it has become plain
that the official reports are not
likely greatly to change the facts
of the situation as known. Every
indication is that Berlin will not
only admit the sinking Of the YES
sci, but seek to justify it on the
ground, so far as Americans are
concerned, that they We're warned
and thai it is the German policy
to show no mercy to merchant
ships which are alleged to be car
rying munitions of war or contra
band.
The allegations from German quar-
tiers that the L~usitania was armed,
seem to be disposed Of by the state
ment of Collector Malone, of New
York, that the vessel was inspected as
usual and that the vessel sailed with
out any armament.
Only the Beginning.
However, the biggest thing that
looms up before the administration and
before the American public, according
to all indications, is less that which
has gone before than what is to come
after.
done in the case of the Lusitania and
the Gulflight is to be adopted as the
fixed policy of the German government.
According to statements. at
tributed to DR.. Bernard Dernburg,
former minister Of colonies of the
the Lusitania is to be followed by
destruction of other British mer-
chant ships regardless of Whether
Americans are aboard and in a case
where an American is carrying con-
traband she is to be attacked as
was the Gulflight.
1t has been felt here since the
Lusiania and GuIfIight incidents
that the world has seen only the be-
ginning of the German submarine
warfare in defiance of the rights of
neutrals, setting at naught such
things as the doctrine of vi1.r and
search and the doctrine tina: when
the ship of a belIigerent is at
tackled the non-combatants on
board should be given a chance 70
take to the GOATS.
Not only the language at
tributed to DR.. Dernburs, but many
circumstances point to the IDEA
process of tearing to shreds the
fabric of neutral rights on the high
seas. Between the effects OF the
British order in council on the one
hand and the German practices IN
submarine warfare the socalled
riqhts of neutrals seem to be worth
scarcely a scrap of paper unless
n%eutraIs are prepared to assert
those riahts with the backing of
force.
Averse To Going To War.
Tb,Is il is not merely the incidents
,,bich have passed, eliminating in the
J,sitania horror which is bringing the
fuIl weight of perpiexity and anxiety to
the administration. President Wilson
and his advisers, it is known re deep,
~, ayerse to going to war. They feei
- history would not justify It. AT
iaass some OF his closest advisers have
Ia 50 since the Lusitania went down.
In this attitude, there is no doubt the
administration would have much pub
~ support, despite the depths of feel
NO in the country today.
But what if there follows
ocassion of such blows at