Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-07-24
Germany's Attitude to Be Read Hereafter
From Her Acts

Germany's Attitude to Be Read Hereafter
From Her Acts
ETNHE third American note to Berlin is shot
through and through with the spirit of
friendliness and sincere desire for tho
maintenance of friendly relations, yet there
is everywhere apparent in it sureness of
position, a stiffness of attitude and steadi-
ness of purpose that combine to render any
misunderstanding of our demands impossible
and definitely negative the continuance of
present relations unless German aggression
on the high seas Immediately is terminated
"The Government of the United States will
continue to contend for that freedom (of the
seas) from whatever quarter violated, with
out compromise and at any cost" The lam
guage of European diplomacy is subtle; that
of the United States is invariably direct. 1t
means in the present instance that there
is no price in men, money or trade that this
nation is not ready to pay for the vindica-
ton of the rights 1t inherently possesses and
which it does not propose to surrender in
any circumstances.
ESSENCE OF THE NOTE.
BY far the most important part of the note
is the last sentence in it. "Friendship itself
prompts 1t (the United states) to say to the
Imperial Government that repetition by the
commanders OF German naval vessels of acts
in contravention of these rights must be re-
garded by the Government of the United
States. when they affect American citizens
as deliberately unfriendly." That statement
nee.
into the arena of deeds 1t is solemn
notice that no communications from Berlin
will be permitted to negative her aggressive
acts the high seas. We shall Judge the
attitude of the German Government not by
what it says, but by what it does.
STEADY HAND ON THE TILLER.
Let citizen underestimate the impor-
tance of this stand. If it means anything
It means that the destruction without warn
ing Of even a bellgerent merchantmen. on
board which Americans may happen to be,
will compel immediate action by this Gov
ernment. What form this action would take
is conjectural 1t would scarcely lead, we
imagine to a declaration of war. It would
more likely occasion the breaking off of
diplomatic relations, the conveying of our
merchantmen and the general treatment OF
Germany n highwayman against whose
murderous procllvites the most ample pre-
cautions for safety must be taken. On some
course the President has doubtless deter
mined nor need the proletariat concern it
self particularly that score. 1t is conf
dent Of one thing. and that is that a steady
hand is on the tlller
JUSTICE OF OUR POSITION.
Rarely in the whole history OF diplomacy
we surmise. has the justice of a nations po-
sition been so amply demonstrated as in the
following paragraph;
In view OF the admission OF illegality made
by the Imperial Government when II pleaded
the right OF retaliation in defense OF It's acts,
and in view OF the manifest possibility OF con-
forming to the established rules OF naval
fare, the Government OF the United States can
not believe that the Imperial Government Will
longer refrain from disavowlng the wanton
act OF It's naval commander In sinking the LUST
tania or from Offering reparaton for the
American lives lost, far reparation can
be made for needless destruction OF human
hfe by an Illegal act.
Yet it would not be wise to conclude that
the righteousness OF our complaint and de-
mand assures satisfactory reply It is
rather late for Germany TO plead that the
Lusitania was sunk through the too great
zeal OF a naval officer acting without or
ders for Berlin has practically assumed
responsibility for the wholesale murder com
mitted However Berlin has permitted the
German mind to be poisoned by an endless
succession OF untruthful publications. as
cunning, no doubt, that 50 only could the
German rank ana fle be deceived into ap.
plause OF so heinous an ohense. It would
be difcult now TO withdraw.
RESULT n BERLIN's HANDS
a bright aspect Of the situation In this
particular. however, Is mat the prompt dis
eoatlnuanee OF aggression win prevent an
open break. In regard to the outrage that
tas been committed. our Government. in a
iras spirit Of friendlinsss. would be likely 70
continue correspondence and trust Tor vim
dlsauon IS arbitration afterwards. The ss-
saee 81 the controversy lies e the future
shs,ior q cermsny = Berlin cease i's
hsrr.0ie dsprsdaaons aaa instfaet e naval