Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-08
Sinking OF the Lusitanin

Sinking OF the Lusitann
q ERMANY surely must have gone mad.
~ The torpedoing and sinking of the Lusi-
tania, although it was well known to German
authorities that there were many Americans
aboard the il-fated Cunard liner, evince
reckless disregard of the opinions of the
world III general and of this country in par
ticular determination to win by any
methods and at any cost-only compatible
with the assumption that blood lust has top
pied reason from its throne.
1t is true that Germany threatened to do
this very thing, but it is true also that when
the threat received Washington met it
with the declaration that for all American
property destroyed and for every American
life taken, the Berlin government would be
held TO strict accountability.
So far as the dispatches yet have told the
tale, passengers OF the Lusitania who were
compartments kept her afloat until her boats
could be launched, and not to any mercy
humanity shown by the officers and crews
Of the attacking subma rines. The liners
dcathblow was inflicted without regard for
the safety of the nearly 1000 lives aboard
and despite the certainty that a great num-
Der of these lives were American. How these
1000 noncombatants and neutralS might
save themselves was matter, apparently, to
which no consideration given.
1t was different, perhaps, when British
cargo boats were sunk, when British pas
scngcr vessel. plying to some port in another
part OF the empire, was sent to the bottom.
Tn one such case an American citizen did lose
his life. but Germany may contend with some
show OF sincerity she had no special reason
to believe that an American was aboard.
AS to the Lusitania, there is room for
such a contention The advertisements
printed n few days ago in many American
IF hc
man embassy, which warned citizens of this
country not to embark in British liners now
gain special and sinister significance. At
the time of their publication, it was general
ly believed that they were aimed at the Lusi-
tania, and portended particularly desperate
attempt 10 destroy her, and this belief now
becomes a certainty.
This government has never recognized-as,
Of course. ii could not rccognizc--Germanys
declaration Of a war zone surrounding the
British Isles. Acquicsccnce in this mpudent
infringement of neutral rights was forbidden
both by our own dignity and by International
law.
Through centuries of incessant struggle, in
the ascent of the race from savagcry, civli-
cation has wrung from war certain guarantees
of the sanctity Of human life. These guar
antees arc expressed in the code that en-
liShtened nations recognize. They affect neu-
trails even more intimately than they do bel
llSeTcnlS, nor can any DclnBerent, by its
mere ipso dXit. destroy the neutrars priv
ilcgcs and rights.
Until blockade of the British Isles is rem
dered effective, American citizens have
right to embark in British vessels, with the
assurance that international law protects at
least their lives. The ship on which they
sail may be destroyed, but not until due pre-
cautions have been taken to assure their
safety. That is the rule President Wilson
has said he would uphold and that Germany
ioutcd when the Lusitania sunk
That deaths were not more numerous was
due to excellent discipline and FORUM
ate chance, rather than to German intent
When a man fires revolver into crowd the
law prcsumcs he must have intended the
natural consequences Of his action. The nat
ural consequence however, happily averted
of firing torpedo into the hull OF the Lusi-
tania was the taking Of American life Ger
many so designed the bolt. and 1t is that de-
sign that fills the American heart with loath-
ing and bitter resentment. 1t is for that
intent that Germany must answer.