The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-07-22
Repetition Of Lusitania Incident
VIII Be Regarded as an
"Unfriendly Act
SIGNIFICANCE OF
TERM is APPRECIATED
If Germany Continues Career
of Murder on High Seas
America viii Be Forced to
Take Up Arms Against Her

washington, July 2l.--The note
which President Wilson is about to
send to Berlin on the submarine issue
will contain a warning that the United
States will regard any further attack
by Germany upon American life upon
the high seas as an ''unfriendiy act"
with this feature of the note def
nttely established, 1t at once took its
place as the most important provision
in the forthcoming note to Germany.
1t not only gives positive tone OF
finaiity to the note. but places Ger
many upon notice that responsibility
viii rest with her for any consequences
that may come from a repetition OF
such an incident as the Lusitania at
tack.
In diplomatic quarters the signifi-
canoe of the use of the term "unfriend-
~ act" was more fully appreciated
than elsewhere. II was pointed out
that in the language OF diplomacy the
use of this expression presages usually
break between governments IL the
warning thus conveyed is not needed.
Europe has become accustomed to re-
gard the words "unfriendly act as
meaning that the government using
them is prepared to go to extreme
measures IL necessary. 1t was recalled
that the term is found in the CORE
spondence exchanged between some
beliigerents in Europe on the outbreak
OF the war
1t was generally agreed that 10 the
United States the term has quite as
much significance as to Germany
That this government, In the event of
further unlawful submarine attacks.
will be more than ever bound to take
some action. after having delivered this
warning to Germany. Was the universal
view here. 1t can be said that this fact
lie fully appreciated by the administra :
ton and IL most earnestly hopes that
Germany will show by the future con-
duct of her submarine warfare that
she. too, realizes the point to which
the United States has been brought by
her hitherto unsatisfactory responses.
Paves way TO WARMING.
The way to this warning is paved fy
the assertion In the note of the as
sumption by this government that
Germany has expressed her acceptance
of the principles of humanity invoked
by President Wilson in support of the
United States position. Inasmuch as
the United States feels justified In
placing this construction upon state
ments contained in the German note
of July s. 1t is thought proper for It
to ask OF Germany adherence to these
principles in practice. with the warn
Ing that n departure from them an re-
CARDS the lives of American citizens
must be regarded by this government
as an unfriendiy act
The portion of the German note OF
July 8 on which this assumption Is
based ts that statement In the second
paragraph 10 the effect that Germany
is quite willing to permit it's state
yys4s4s, and decisions ~, the ease, under
consideration. to be governed by the
principles of humanity. just as 1t has
done always"
The President and his advisers felt
that 1t would be made easier for Ger
many TO refrain from attacks involv-
ing innocent American lives with this
Interpretation of her words offered to
her. and that II would also be more
difficuit for her to repudiate. either by
word or act. the principles of human
ify in question.
Previous Positions Intact.
Besides these two points, the re-
naming features OF the new note were
regarded today as of but secondary
Importance, merely serving to main
tain intact the position pryiously as
sumed by President Wilson. OF these
secondary features the most important
IL tho determination to make Ger
many,s future conduct OF submarine
operations the test of the relations that
are TO exist between the two govern
ments. This decision will at least have