South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-06-12

PRIEST WILSON'S NOTE AND FOR
MFR sEC'Y BRYAN's STATEMENT.
Friends Of Former Secy Bryan's
peace policy. who are not at the same
time antagonistic TO Prest Wilson.
are bound TO find considerable solace
in the presidents latest note TO the
German imperial government We
had a right 20 expect something con
siderably more drastic than the exec
utive has given as; had a right TO ex-
pect 1t, not so much because we want
ed II. but because of the drastic action
Of the secretary Of state houting it
in advance, before our eyes. in all the
blackness Of a real war cloud.
I'VE repeat" says the presidents
note. via Acting Secy Lansing, and
that is about all there is TO it, 1t in
forms Germany that it has been mis-
informed with respect TO the Lusi-
ania's clearance at the New York port,
along with a number Of other things.
but If there is any considerable blood
and thunder I'm IL, such as the dope
sters" assured us was forthcoming, the
blood is too pale and the thunder too
faint for us TO discern it. There is
a covert hint that Germany needs TO
get busy with a revision OF its sub
marine methods Of warfare, but no
suggestion that we mean TO place a
bomb under the universe and blow il
to smithereens. at least for a few days,
even if she does not.
We say this too, IN the certain
opinion that the note is quite drastic
enough That it does not measure up
10 what "jingoistic" correspondents
and Mr.. Bryan's retirement led us to
anticipate. does not brand the note IA
too mild, but rather meets our hope
that administration would not go too
far. We are happily disappointed. in
this particular. but in the face Of
such disappointment, the hair which
10 our mind Mr.. Bryan found it nee
essary TO split in his search for an
excuse for quitting. appears still
finer one than as at first conceived.
True, as Mr.. Bryan gives out in his
statement, the real issue before the
world today. not only in the United
States but in Europe, is whether ar
bitration or force is the better agency
for the settlement Of international dis
putes. We believe that nine people out
of ten. outside of those who perchance
might profit from war, or at least from
war scares that make for larger war
preparations. favor the arbitration
method. Mr.. Bryan asserts that the
second Wilson note clings TO the old
system of force. in its basic sugges-
tions, while justice through arbitra-
ton should be the suggested method.
Mr.. Bryan is probably right too, were
the world not at war, and were it not
that the relief sought needs to be more
immediate than waiting for an arbi-
tration settlement might compel.
In consequence, it appears to us that
Pres't Wilson is doing about as much
as is practical to practicable Mr.. Bry-
ans presently Impractical philosophy.
Were there some method of obtaining
and enforcing an injunction against
Gormany's submarine warfare pend
ing an arbitration award. it would be
different. but as il is. the force Of
arms seems to be the only alternative. |
That seems to be the main difference |
between Mr. Wilson and Mr.. Bryan
with respect to dealing with Germany. |
Mr.. Bryan has a splendid though pres !
emily impractical idea Mr. Wilson, !
dealing with the immediate present /
finds it necessary TO institute an Amer /
lean injunction. by force if needs be- I
pending such time as arbitration of
such disputes may become possible /
and practical.
Germany will understand. we hope |
when the presidents second note has /
been deciphered. that there is no sur I
render OF the demands submitted in /
note No. 1 Submarine warfare, like /
all other sea-fighting. must be kept I
within the requirements of interna- /
tional law on this the United states /
firmly insists. We have rights in the /
premises which all belligerents are
bound 10 respect. We want peace; /
peace with Germany and the world. /
but we want il with honor. even in
the midst of such turmoil as marks /
the present