Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-02-17
THE PRESIDENTS
NOTE TO GERMANY
MEETS APPROVAL

SA0A AASttIA& uASACu AsSRA0AA0
cans Offer Praise-Consterna-
tion Caused by Germany's
Threat-Hoisting of the Stars
and Stripes Over British Vess
sells Not Taken Seriously
Washington. Feb. is (SpeciaD.-The
state Departments note to Germany,
IN warning against Berlin's threat TO
shipping under neutral flags in the
North Sea, has stirred Washington
more or less profoundly. The Ian
guage Of the note is believed TO have
been mainly President Wilson's. The
style and phrasing are distinctly his.
And though Republicans have assailed
the Democratic administration for
eagn policy incontinently, they have
expressed admiration for the tone and
tenor of this latest paper. Ex-Sena-
tor Chauncey Depew Of New York, q
veteran and venerable Republican,
said the other day this stern note TO
Germany was in keeping with the
partment. Ex- President William H.
Taft gave an interview al Toronto.
Canada. and referred to the note TO
Germany and. alike that to Great Bri-
tain On the use of the United States
flag for protection of British mer-
chant shipping, as clear, dignifed.
and emphatic"
Official circles mere do not regard
very seriously the hosting OF the
Stars and Stripes over the Lusitania
and other British ships. The situation
is 50 tense for Germany. however,
that the State Department, as a mat
ter of good diplomacy. felt bound to
protest. The purpose evidently is to
make up the case fully in anticipation
of possible German rashness in allow
ing a submarine to send a United
States merchantmen or any merchant
man on which citizens of the United
States are passengers. to the bottom
without observing the uSages OF inter-
national law.
The way of a mighty neutral, great
est nation indeed of all the neutrals
remaining in the world. is very hard.
The bitterest antagonists would not
question President Wilson's indus
trious efforts TO favor neither Ger
many nor Great Britain. He and his
administration have thus incurred the
hatred Of German Americans, who are
several millions in the United States,
and apparently, if press dispatches
can be believed, Of Germany. The
administration influence has been
stoutly against legislation to prohibit
the exporting Of munitions Of war
Such bills have been vigorously
pressed in Senate and House but to
no purpose. Out in the states an ag-
gressive propaganda has been encour-
aged in behalf of this legislation.
The foreign policies Of his admins
tration will seemingly be an issue in
President Wilson's campaign. Re-
publicans fierceiy attacked his man
agemcnt in Mexico. This ceased when
there vas thought to be a good pros
pect of pernla nent peace with the de-
posing Of Huerta. But civil dissen-
sion in Mexico has gone from one ex-
IRENE to another. Catholic Church
authorities have protested against
outrages upon their priests and nuns
throughout Mexico and, to no pur-
pose, have requested the State Depart
ment TO intervene. Carranza and VIII
la, erstwhile comrades in revolution,
are now testing their supremacy by
resort to arms. The President insists
that these red handed revoiutionists
shall have full opportunity, as far as
the United States is concerned. to fight
out their differences. He is as stout
ly as ever against any intervention
OF course, if there were Intervention.
this government, from the peculiar
situation in Mexico, would find Itself
compelled to stand behind reactionary
influences. These are in large part
the influences that despoiled the re-
public and brought on revolution.
They are still the organized forces and
would most surely reestablish them
selves if an outside government was
to restore order.
Senator Weeks Of Massachusetts,
vino is looming large as Republican
candidate for the presidency, recently
said that Nearly the worst blot We
have had in the conduct Of our foreign
affairs during the life OF this govern
ment has been during the Wilson ad-
ministration. Republicans will make
the most of the condition as a cam
paign issue. If, perchance. the Presi-
dent comes out of the controversy
with Germany and Great Britain in
excellent fashion. something may have
been accomplished to dissipate this
issue. Only lasting peace will quiet
the complaints as to Mexico.
The scandal over the United States
mission in San Domingo, that Sena-
tor-elect James D. Phelan Of CaEfor-
MIA is still investigating. lends color
to these political charges. Secretary
Eryan's selection Of James u. Sulli-
van, New York Democratic "heeier. ;"
for minister to San Domingo. has been
followed by revelations about big con-
tracts and banking favors. Sullivan
has not been directly connected with
any corruption but the atmosphere Of
the situation has been entirely dis
creditable to him. This matter, al
though Of relatively minor Importance.
gives color to the frequently reitera-
ted charges by Republicans that the
changes in diplomatic offices by Fresi-