The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-05-18
MessagetoCerman
Carries a Threat.
DEMANDS PREPARATION
Berlin Must OisayOw Attacks on
American Life and Property.
PROMPT ACTION EXPECTED

CLAIM Intimation Conveyed That the
American Note Itself ls Not All
That Germany Must Expect If Ac-
tion Is Not Forthcoming-Realiz allied
at Washington That the Message
Places Berlin In Most Difficult
Position--FulI Text of the Ameri.
can Note.
Washington, May IA. - Germany
must abandon her entire submarine
program against merchant vessels IL
she is fully to satisfy the stand taken
by President Wilson and his advisers
in the note sent to Berlin. She must
disavow the Lusitania and other out.
RACES upon American life and prop.
erty Of which the United States com
plains. She must make reparation
$50 far as reparation is possible for
injuries which are without measure"
and she must take immediate steps"
TO prevent a recurrence of the at
tacks on the American flag and on
American lives and American vessels
No doubt exists here of the Difficult
Iy OF the position which this note
places Germany. Nothing less than
q reputation of all she mas done and
abandonment of practically all she
hopes to do with submarines against
merchantmen and an admission that
she has violated the laws of nations
and humanity will enable Germany
entirely to meet the views so earn
estly communicated to her by the
United States. The possibility that
Germany may not be able to do this
consistently with her concession OF
national honor constitutes the great
est danger to the continuance OF
friendly relations between tle two
governments.
Stripped of its diplomatic dress the
American note carries not only tho
demands, but threat. Stress Is laid
upon the expectation of the United
States for prompt action, and as re-
cards the most important demand,
that of guarantees for the future, I'm.
mediate steps" are required
Finally, the plain intimation is con-
yeyed that the note itself Is not all
Germany must expect il any action is
not forthcoming.
The demands for reparation. disa
vowal and assurances as to the future
have been regarded as the least that
the United States could present to
Germany. TO them, however mas In.
directly been added another one,
amounting practically to a summons
to Germany to give up her submarine
program as directed against merchant
men This advanced stand by the pres
ident is of the greatest importance for
the future as well ms for the present
crisis, as II commits the United
States definitely against amy use OF
submarines as commerce destroyerS
in time of war,
Throughout. the presidents note i5
maintained on high level. 1t Is
phrasod In an entirely friendly spirit
but behind It's politeucss and dipio.
matte compliments stand clearly out
lined the redress which the United
States expects from Germany and the
determination of the administration
TO hold Germany by action, IL neces
sary. to an accounting for the out
RACES upon American life,
AZ NV e''"N " NH
meet tee deinahds OF inns soNerhiheh'
II seems likely that a severinG of dip
lomatic relations must result, Ate
that the situation will be just as seri
Gus hs germany cares 10 make IT,
Tbr America, Notr
Inc full leNt ~ lhe American noti
10 Berlin fclloWe:
r.h. socratnrv ~ st,te IA the \ner,c,
hvhassodor M ac,li,,
lo. sc call on the muistpr Of forSlg