Western Carolina Democrat and French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1913-1915, 1915-05-27

will not tolerate murder upon the high
seas Of unoffending nationals, sailing
under neutral flags of peaceful coun-
tries. and President Wilson made per,
fectly plain the position to be hereaf-
ter maintained by the United States
in dealing with bellfgerents who dis
regard mental rights and information.
a! law.
In q strong, but dignified note 70
Germany, President Wilson made IL
plain that submarine attacks, SINH
lar to those upon the Lusitania, must
be abandoned. There is no mistak-
ing the meaning of this note and Il
that government refuses, the United
States will take such action as may
be necessary, said the President, in
the performance of it's sacred duty
of maintaining the right of this re-
public and It's citizens and OF safe
guarding their free exercise and en-
ployment. The President properly
holds that the warnings given by the
German embassy at Washington con-
stituted no excuse, or palliation for
the destruction Of neutral vessels and
the murder of innocent people; that
American citizens act within their in
disputable right in taking merchant
ships and travelling wherever legit'
mate business calls them upon tine
high seast Furthermore, that sub
marines cannot be used against mer-
.chantmen without an inevitable vio-
lation of many sacred principles OF
justice and humanity. The issue was
put squarely up to Germany with no
loephole for side stepping.
The general opinion in government
official circles, and among well in
formed men generally is that Presi-
dent Wilson has took the only course
CONSTANT with the country's interest
and honor. What the outcome might
be did not defer the president from
letting it be known that the American
people would not tolerate further
wrongs, and in this conclusion he
voices the sentiment of every patriotic
citizen in the United States. While he
did not demand the entire abandon
ment by Germany of her submarine
warfare, insofar as it affects Great
Britain and the other allies, the pres
ident insisted that the lives of Amerl
can citizens must not again be i'm
periled.
President Wilson Is not a warrior,
but statesman who loves peace. Bur
he does not desire peace with dishon-
or. His note was not defiant, but an
appeal to conscience and every word
Ia significant international authori-
ties of high repute hold that the presi-
dents contention that Germany Vio-
lated the rules of international law
by the method of attack made by her
on a merchant vessel is
1t is pointed out that a
new method or means OF warfare
cannot change the rules of interna-
tionaI law any more than the inven-
ton of a new weapon could change
he law against murder. Of course, |
he United States must be impartial, |
but invasion of her rights by any be-
1ggerent country should be promptly |
md determinedly resulted. The pres
dent has taken the time to ascertain !
facts and determine upon a course OF
action. If it is found necessary 30
use national power to enforce our
tights and command respect, the peo-
Die will be unanimous in their ap- |
prevail of such action by the govern
nent. The stars and stripes shall |
,inue to wave, cover the land of the |
free and the home of the brave"