New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-16

the press that war would be fatal
was concentrated, not in defending mas
tional honor, but in finding a way out
Of the dilemma.
But not the least difficult part of the
situation was the fact that portion
of the country had believed that the
strict accountability" message was
real, that it was expressive of a stern,
patriotic purpose, that it meant that
the administration would defend
American rights, neutral rights, at all
hazards. A complete backdown would
arouse this part of the country just
as completely as a vigorous policy lead
ing to a break with Germany would the
Middle West.
Politicians Dominant.
To grasp the meaning Of all that lies
between the Lusitania and the Arabic
II is necessary TO keep the politicians
and the political considerations IN
mind. They dominated the whole thing.
The politicians insisted that there must
be peace or there would be party de-
feat The administration was bound to
find a way out of the mess without
going to war; that was the politicians
view, and the administration did It's
best.
But the German government, know
ing the situation, felt under no con-
straint. IL went on sinking ships until
the succession of notes and the absence
of action began to arouse American
sentiment. There was no mistaking the
- he
there be an end to German houting OF
American rights and German assassina-
ton of American citizens. But the
politician was Just as insistent, and
there was no way of convincing the
German government that what we had
said at first without meaning We were
now obliged to mean.
When the Arabic incident came, then,
there was no escape from action; not
even the political considerations could
! help. Public sentiment became out
spoken. This Count Won Bernstorf
recognized. He saw what his govern
ment did not see and could not see, that
| the situation had passed out OF the
control of the politicians and admins
tration and the people were taking hold
| That is why he interviewed. He came
| to the aid of the administration and en-
deavored to rescue them from hope
less situation by giving them a way
out.
The People In Charge.
Won Bernstorff was only partly sue
cessful, because his government was
/ still acting under the conviction that
/ the administration and not the Amerl-
can people were in charge, and it con-
! tinued to act and 20 explain, with a
complete lack of regard for the de-
mands of the American government and
/ the rights of American citizens. Berlin
/ still believed that Washington was un-
der the domination of the politicians,
that it was still talking, without any
intention TO act
In point of fact, this was not the
case. Washington had recognized that
talking was no longer possible. II
had realized that public sentiment was
now beyond the point of eng salts
fed by words. It vas compelled TO
act, whatever the politicians said, I'M
less il received a completely salts
: factory explanation from Germany,
and the Bernstorf promise interpreted
bv Berlin in the Arabic note was very
far from this.
To-day the situation rests with BeT-
lin. Washington has lost its power 70
refrain from action. The gravity in the
situation flows from the fact that the ad-
ministration now knows what the pubic
sentiment is and is convinced that Ger
man performance must measure up 70
American demands. II Berlin also real
ICES this and is prepared 10 act on TINS
understanding. then we shall have no
more trouble, but il it is not then there
will be war and the politician Will be
helpless. -.
What Is humlliating in the thing -
that we are now In danger OF war and
we have lost all that was inspiring or
splendid in the thing. We shall hays
! Numbered into war, after having mao
every possible effort 10 escape mak.n
good our words; we shall be drasge
| into the mess without any other e
ouse than the fact that at the outse'
| the administration used big words r.
meaning 10 fight for them, not mean
ing 10 defend the principles chan
pioned. but only using words as we
used words In Mexico, not rs expressive
Of a policy. but merely as the accident
of phrase.
Seeking to Avoid Trouble.
Whatever Mr.. Wilson meant by his
strict accountability" note. the poll