Palisadian. [volume] (Cliffside Park, N.J.) 1906-current, 1915-07-17

The German AnsUer.

The German answer TO ffcSldenC
Wilson's note could have been an
ticipated. 1t is characteristic of the
nature and temperament of that peo-
pie. 1t proves that if they have not
met US on the issue of submarine war
fare, they have at least left a loop
hole to patch up and prolong an
almost-quarrel.
On the Lusitania they have made
no reply at all.
Neither country wants war, yet
each is firm in the declaration OF its
rights. Widely separated yet closely
bounded by blood-ties of relation
ship, Germany and the United States
would be extremely foolish to go at
the smashing game of war over the
Lusitania or any other incident con-
nected with the European war. Ger
many is indeed weak in her state
ment of the Lusitania affair-very
weak. Taking a chance" at wound
ing" great hulk of a ship like that
and presupposing that she would
keep afoat long enough to allow the
rescue of passengers, was the short
end of big guess and it didn't
work. However, the deed was done,
an excuse it as Germany does, and
as the world does not, the chances
are that it cannot happen again. 1t
was sad mistake.
The note once more processes
friendship for America. We have no
right to reject this avowal, nor to
even question it. AS whole the tone
of the reply is fine, even unusual in
sentiment. We predict that the tenor
of it's meaning will not be misapplied
by President Wilson. He may not
accept all of it, very little, in fact,
but there is precious little in it to
induce him to go up in the air. He
is not built that way. 1t is frank
expression of Germany's attitude. 1t
is couched in clear, forcible language,
with no blatant word, no syllable of
bravado. The Kaiser lays all blame
at the English Kings door for ali
of Americas cause for complaint.
Make the King be good and we will
behave, he says in effect. This is the
net of what Germany meant when
she said at the beginning, the war is
life or death to us; everything we
own or are is at stake; we must fight
for our lives. If we put ourselves in
Germany's place, what course would
we have pursued in similar circum-
stances?
Aside from myriads of thoughts
that come on this war topic and Ger
many's note-things that intuitively
associate themselves with the sub
ject-the conviction must prevail that
the answer is clean cut and positive,
and it bears no threatening hint. 1t
is indeed most respectful document.
1t has been accepted by the German
press as entirely fit, and by the
American press generally as noI
satisfactory. But America will go
slow before she does an injudicious
thing. 1t is just as well to know,
too, that time is an important factor
in this trouble. Six months from now
Germany may feel regret over the
Lustania. To-day she exhibits none
whatever. In the meantime, it be-
hooves all hands in America to keep
cool and hands off. In truth, it would
be a good thing if the President were
to forbid all public discussion of the
subject, were such thing possible.
AS fought in the newspapers, war
may be fought any minute. Left to
the President, there are nine hundred
chances to none at all that the en-
tire matter will be satisfactorily
adjusted.