New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-20
GERMANY MUST
FACE u. S. ISSUE
Continued from page l

fused TO censure because shs flrted
now and then with France and Great
Britain-thst piece OF misfortune is
enough TO monopolize for the moment
the attention of the Kaiser and his
advisers.
Rome was the international focus to-
day. and will remain the international
focus until Italys intentions are de-
clared. From the German point OF view
the American crisis can wait. IL must
take second place.
Effect of Italy's Action.
Opinion here is divided as 70 the ef-
feet Of Italy's entrance into the war on
Germany's attitude toward the Unlted
States. Some army and navy oihcers
take the view that the tightening OF the
iron ring about Germany and Austria
Hungary would impel Germany to lay
greater stress than ever on the Value
Of submarine warfare as method OF
retaliation. The Tcutonic allies would
be cut off from any hope Of importation
Of supplies from the south or sotheast,
especially if Rumania also becomes
belligerent. Shut in herself, 1t IS ar
gued1 Germany would make the most
desperate counter effort 10 cut OH treat
Britain's oversee supplies. -,
There are others who believe that
Germany will recognize the relative un-
Importance Of the submarine campaign,
once Allied resources on the sea are
so materially increased by the addition
Of the Italian navy and the Italian
merchant marine. So far as munitions
for the use of the British contingent
on the Continent are concerned, they
can easily be shipped from the United
States to Mediterranean ports. Inc
inflow of war material to the allied
armies cannot be stopped, nor can their
delivery to Great Britain be stopped,
so long as the British navy is able 10
maintain the present line Of communi-
cations across the English Channel.
From a strictly military point OF
view the submarine campaign, even
IL pursued as ruthlessly as 1t has
been pursued in the last two months,
could accomplish very little. Many
competent observers, therefore, hold
that If Germany is guided by sober
calculation and not by blind passion
she will probably recognize the ad,
vantage of conciliating the united
States and the other injured neutral
nations by dropping method OF sea
warfare which could easily cost far
more than it was worth.
Must Reckon with Won Tirpitz.
The more moderate counsellors OF
the Kaiser would have TO reckon, OF
course, with Grand Admiral Won llr-
pitz. the originator of the submarine
campaign. and with the large section
If the German public which idolizes
Won Tirpitz. The hope of diplomatic
settlement of the issue raised by Presi-
dents Wilson's note rests, therefore,
on the ability Of German statesman
shin TO rise above popular clamor and
TO prefer what is sound in military
policy to what is merely theatrical and
spectacular.
The state Department is by no means
worried over Consul General Morgan S
report from Hamburg that the record
in the Frye case has been sent to a
German prize court Mr.. Bryan said
this afternoon that he had asked Mr..
Gerard to inquire whether and to what
extent that action was an answer TO
this governments note asking for com
pensation for the ship. II developed
later that the record was merely re-
ferred TO the court for formal inquiry
Mr.. Bryan said that the United
States would have no objection TO such
a course, il it would expedite a settle
ment of the case. There is no dispute
between the two countries over Ger
many's liability. The only question at
issue is the promptitude with which the
German government will pay the dam
ages which il is bound 10 pay under
the treaty Of 1928.