South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-02-16
britain PAYS Us \ GREAT COM.
PLIMENT.

PLIAfENT
Speaking 'paragorically," IL Eng
land or any other European power.
wishes 20 pay US the compliment OF
flying our flag in open confession Of
is superior dignity on the high seas,
there are reasons why we should not
complain as well as why we should.
We might also. even. feel compH-
mented 10y the complaints coming
from contending powers. with respect
10 this misapprOpriation OF our good
standing. We need TO protest only
that old Glory as she mingles with
the breeze, whether on land or sea,
stands just now as never before. for
a high degree Of humanitarianism and
decOrum, and we want all nations
flying that flag 10 conduct themselves
In conformity with our American
ideals. in matters Of war as well as
OF commerce.
We might say that England and her
allies. are welcome TO fly the Ameri-
can flag as much as they please as
long as they live up TO its standard.
and employ it as an emblem of peace.
not Of warfare. OF course. living up
To the American standard means a lot
more than any of the warning powers
VIII be likely 10 concede for it must
mean the end of the war. the passing
OF number OF kingdoms. and the
establishment of an international
democracy. We don't care 10 have
cur flag employed as the clothing that
made the wolf look like "a sheep.
That is our main kick.
But it need not mean that We must
30 TO war on the spot even if Old
Glory is temporarily Incorporated.
We can protest the Coed and bring
suit at Ieisure-perhaps, by which
time. in a more level headed moment.
the usurpers Will be IN better tenn
per TO grant our just demands. We
have been settling our international
difficulties for years. 10y diplomatic
methods. We are just as much at
peace now as we ever were. only
the jingOist thinks of spilling blood
because of the international difficult
ties of the present. and YOU can rest
assured that if any blood is TO be
spilled. ne will take care that it is
none OF his. The lOud-mouthed war
promoter is seldom the one to shout
der gun. The present-time jingoist
belongs 10 that school of Americans
which pretends TO get everything in
EurOpe-ideas. wearing apparel. and
wine and lager.-and war being the
present fashion over there he Of
course wants to plead the cause of
fashion.
Britain's misrepresentation of the
American flag. using il as "a protecting
wing under which TO float her mer-
Chantmen. is a compliment TO Ger
n4any's respect for American neutral
ity. And Britain will have to answer
10 the United States one day for any
Inconvenience or difficulties that may
accrue TO the United States on account
of British over-indulgeuce. That is
the case succinctly stated and the III
innate settlement II England sue
ceeds in breaking down Germany's
good faith in the United states the
burden of it will eventually fall upon
England Johnny Bull Will scarcely
be able 10 put over that bic of cussed-
ness, even as war measure. without
stepping upon his own corns.
The United States started out to
work its way through this war 10y the
use of its brains rather than by force
OF arms. and we believe Pres't Wilson,
and his advisers will remain calm and
collected enough 20 stick to that pur-
pose. We may not get immediate
satisfaction, bat the prospects are that
VIC viii get il Infinitely quicker that
way than by plunging into battle, and
when we do get IL. il viii come with
out loss OF blood or treasure