The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-07-12
Action or Retreat.

II is dlfncult TO DeneVc In inc sincerity VI thd'
very small number of Americans in public life,
among them Mr. Bryan, who profess to see in
the German note a reason for satisfaction in this
country. Only by assuming that their one desire
is that President Wilson should avail himself Of
the 1imsiest of structures as means of retreat
from the position he has taken in support of the
sacred rights" OF the American people and of all
humanity can their expressions be reconciled with
those of the German communication. For it is
plain to all men that the President must recede,
must abandon every one of the principles for
which he has commended since the Lusitania muir
ders or he must proceed to those acts which he
warned Germany would not be omitted by the
United States in unfolding the rights of its people.
That is the situation which confronts the country
today that is to be recognized and calmly faced.
There is nothing more to say to Germany; words
that do not convey intention of recedng would
be words wasted. The latest German note closes
negotiations.
Not dcigning to discuss the contentious
raised by President Wilson, beyond cynical blam-
ing OF the Lustania murders on the British, Ger
many volunteers to point out to us way by which
Americans may cross the ocean without mourning
the risk of being murdered. They may sail in
certain ships flying the American flag, carrying
certain cargoes, plainly marked so that they may
be identified by the German submarines, and Ger
many must be notified in advance of their sailing.
But rights today larger, by all the law and
tradition We need place no symbol upon our
ships except the Stars and Stripes or notify Ger
many when or whence they sail. 1t is an au-
dacous proposal which the President cannot dis
cuss with Germany; and hence this solitary pre-
tense OF new ISSUE offers not the slightest basis
for a continuation of diplomatic exchanges. Its
proffer to US constitutes reiteration by Ger
many OF intention to continue the present
method OF submarine warfare, which neither counts
for the lives OF men, women children
neutrals enemies, combatants noncombatants
Americans may sail the seas according to the rules
laid down by Germany; otherwise the plain
inference is they will the risk OF being
dercd, and Germany repudiates all responsibility
in advance. Germany proclaims the right to kill
indiscrminatcly on the high seas. though she will
spare Americans on specially marked and specially
laden American ships of whose movements she
is notified in advance. Can those who profess to
find cause for satisfaction in the German note
make anything else out OF it?
AS for Germany's real intentions in handing
such amazing communication to Ambassador
Gerard it is not easy fathom them. Whether
the purpose to insult us by contemptuously
President Wilson and offering imperial permits
sion for US to go about own business in
safety long obey the Imperial rules, or
whether regarded in Berlin as people
OF inferior intelligence easy victims of the most
brazen form OF trckery, we cannot tell We only
know that in tone the note is patronizing and
evasve and, in far as it refers at all to Presi-
dent Wilson's communication, treats it as rather
subject which the Imperial govern
ment would rather not discuss, advancing on its
own behalf preposterous proposition to permit
us to keep part of what is already our own.
1t seems impossible. therefore, that the Berlin
government intended the note as serious and
honest reply TO nation its equal with which it
Is engaged IN grave controversy. 1t adds to the
state OF perplexity OF the American people, who
for months past have been unable to assure
themselves that Germany is not seeking war.
1t is not unreasonable to assume that to small
extent the Berlin attitude toward this country may
have been influenced by the noisy activity OF those
>hort-slghtcd Americars-happy few in num-
ber though some OF them sit in high places-who
have advocated a policy opposed to that of Presi-
dent Wilson. DR.. Dernburg and Mr.. Meyer-G Ger
hard have failed in their observation their duty
however. il Berlin has not been advised that those
men neither represent influence the sentiment
OF the people. No Presidents foreign policy in
crslS ever received stronger or more nearly unan-
nous support than that OF Woodrow Wilson, And
as the time comes for putting country above our
differences OF opinion the patriotism OF the men
who have opposed him will be found ready for
the test In dealing with the grave situation that
Las now been forced upon him the President will
be strengthened in purpose by the abiding con-
hdence OF the whole people in craftsmanship
that is wise and patient and steadfast