Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-07-11
The Parting OF the Ways


The Parting OF the Ways
I y the note addressed by this goverMme nt
i TO the government Of Germany on May
IS, President Wilson, after asserting the
rights of American citizens on the high seas,
rcitcratins former rcfusals to accede to limi-
tatons Of those rights, and describing the in
cidents eliminating in the destruction of the
Lusitana, wherein neutral prerogatives had
been awlessly assaled and neutral lives
murderously taken, said:
1t 1.-The united<StatesI confidently
poets therefore, that the imperial Ger
man government Will diSavow the
of which the government of the United
states complains; that they will make
repara ion. so far as PREPARATION is posi-
BILE for injuries which are without meas
ure. and that they will take imnedi-
ate steps 10 prevent the recurrence of
anything so obviously subvcrsve Of the
principles of warfare for which the i'm
perial German government have in the
PAST so wisely and firmly contended.
The imperial German government will
not expect the government of the United
states TO omit amy word any neces-
sary 10 the performance of its sacred
duty OF maintaining the rights of the
bhitcd states and its citizens. and Of
safeguarding their free exercise and
enjoy
In the note Of June g. the President de-
scribed the crime of the Lusitania and the
Obligations the slaughter of its citizens i'm
PoStu ol lHe tnlteQ states IN tneSe words of
stately dignity and measured truth
Whatever he the other facts regarding
inc l-usitania. the principal fact is that
great. steamer, primarily and chiefly a
conveyance for passengers. and carrying
more than 1000 souls. who had no
part or. lot i'm the conduct of the war
Was torpedocd and sunk without so much
as challenge IA warning, and that
men women and children were sent to
their death in circumstances unparalleled
in modern warfare The fact that more
'nose who persisted, made il the duty OF
the government of the United States to
speak of'these things. and once more
with solemn emphasis. call the atten-
Non Of the imperial German govern
hcht TO the grave responsibility which
inc government of the United States
ronrelNes that it has incurred in this
tragic occurrence, and the indisputa-
PIC principle upon which that RESPONSE
hiliiy rests.
What says Germany TO these WARNINGS
given and repeated with Solemn emphasis?
Why, this:
II the commander of the German suh
marine which destroyed Lusitania
TAX" To the boats before firing a torpedo
mus would have meant the sure destruc-
1Ign OF ms own vessel After the expe-
!!ehccS IN sinking much smaller and less
Sc3Worthy vessels. il was to he exnected
,hat a mighty ship like the Lusitania
would remain above water long enough
even after the torpcdoinc to permit
passengers 10 enter the ships boats
ms is TO trifie with the American people
Dc "'!i as with the facts. Here is no dis
"NoWal OF the acts of which the government
Oh Inc United States complains" but rather
SNUG satisfaction; here is no offer of
PREPARATION, so far AS reparation is possib,e
ioT injuries without measure"
Viewed in connection with the stand ,.,o,
nE the Berlin Foreign Office as to fine Iusi
lama the suggestions looking to the future
satet! OF american lives become meaningless
me! are based on the calm assumption that
'h"roer' III cases of necessity, is a German
prerogatve. Out of Germany's great mercy
ana loving Kindness, however that preroea
i've VIII not be exercised, if the United States
VIII consent 10 act exactly as the Kaiser
directs
The crime of The Lusitania lei il be re-
Mtmnered was neither increased nor dimin
ishea In enormity by the fact that it counted
over 100 American victims Its cririnality
was Ill us ruthless and causeless slaughter
W hohcombatants, including women and little
'"''"reh' without word Of warning or oppor-
'"''''! 10 escape That American lives were
sacrhced, as the President says made il tho
u"t! OF 'he nited States to speak of these
thing but laid no ad ditional guilt on the
sou OF The monster who directed the firing
Of the fatal shot
With Germany taking the view she does
OF that atrocty- justifying rather than er-
cusing or palliating tive fail To SEQ either
me wisdom or the utility of prolonging neeo
'iauons Under these circumstances there
can be no meeting OF minds-for which far,
also under the circumstances this people
should dcvoutly thank God
Germany and the United States have come
10 the parting of the ways
TAXATION OF Church Property