New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-13
THE GERMAN NOTE
Is the American Position Unassall-
able?

Sir: We are assured that Washington
ia disturbed because Germany is evasiye and
unwilling to fairly face the issue and TO De
clare plainly whether or no she Will acceue
TO those demands from Washington whlch
the American people believe are but reason
able. We have been educated by editorials,
magazine articles, etc, up to point where
it is assumed that Americas position is un-
assailable; she must be right because she Is
demanding nothing more than is conceded by
international law to be right and in accord
with precedent long established. Further
more. any deviation from her demands would
be equivalent to sacrificing somewhat OF that
dignity which all will admit must be main
tanned. Otherwise our land will lose not only
the respect Of other nations but, what Is
more important the respect Of her citizens.
Surely with such basic facts in her favor
there can be no question Of her being justl-
fed in drawing the sword and enforcing her
rights II Germany is so devoid Of reason as
to fatty refuse our demands. In other words,
international law as now accepted and the
practice accepted as proper for belligerent
nations and neutral nations in former wars
must be conclusive, and there can be no
evolution or enlargement of conception where
international law is concerned.
The mere statement Of such position Is
evidence OF its folly and shortsghtedness.
Again, the dignity of nations is high sound
ing phrase and carries with it the silent and
unquestioned approval of the superficial mind
When YOU come to analyze the dignity Of
nation the query naturally arises, What in
reality, is it? Is it more digniied to draw
the -word in defence of theories accepted as
fundamentally correct because hitherto no
more statesmanlike methods have been tried
than frankly to admit that the world is con-
fronted by new conditions in warfare and
that new ideas as to national dignity are but
reasonable?
Germany's reliance on submarine warfare
has certainly been justified by results. The
submarine is her strongest weapon, both Of
offence and Of defence. Now, il Germany
chooses to declare a war zone around the
British Isles and warns neutral nations that
thew enter that zone at their peril when on
British ships, can we say that Germany Is
exceeding her rights just because such a
blockade was never before heard Of? The
mere fact that the blockade is not perfect
and that ships both English and neutral do
ground for the declaration that the blockade
is merely a paper blockade and should be
treated as absurd and that Germany has no
right TO such a contention. The considerable
injury to British shipping already suffered
by submarine warfare is sufficient answer
Germany has plainly indicated her regret at
the loss of American lives because her warn
ing was disregarded. If her note should
further show her inclination to temporize
and TO do all in her power to avoid rupture
of diplomatic relations with America, can she
be altogether blamed? 1t is but fair to re-
member that she is in life and death strug-
gle and that she will do what is in her power
to preserve her existence.
No attempt is here made to justify Ger
man ambitions or German methods of win
MINI, her place in the sun. The wreckng OF
Belgium and the loss Of the Lusitania can
never be excused, even on the ground OF a
nation fighting for its life. She justly merits
the condemnation of the world for her bar
bar;tv and her thoughtless waste of life.
Some way could have been found for saving
the passengers on the Lusitania II the COM
mander Of the submarine had properly valued
human life Germany's heartless ss IS the
weakest point in her argument for ner right
20 existence.
This is not the point at issue. Inc ques-
ton is whether or no it is TO the best in
terest of America frankly to acknowledge
that international law, as at present &C
cepted. may not and probably does not ade-
quatclv cover the complicated problem con-
fronting the nations. a new code Of laws Is
inevitable. One of the underlying principles
of such a code should be the same principle
Of community interest that experience has
found 10 be sound when applied to indlvld-
uals. communities, cities and states. am
safer from danger if others around me are
safe. If others around me are injured or in
danger my position is weakened. Therefore
nv safety is dependent upon the safety OF
those around me, and will consider as wise
measures which will insure their safety
equally with my own. The same principle
should apply to international law for the
same reason. Ny dignity is best maintained
By the same process Of reasoning.
These common sense facts are nothing
more or less than the teaching of the Cali
lean applied to individuals and to nations.
JAMES W. JOHNSON.
NOM V,rL Iulv q 1915