New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-11
PRESS
FINDS u. S. NOTE
FAIR AND FIRM
Temperate Tone Declared
One of Its Strongest
Elements.
mo WAR IN THIS"
THE GENERAL VIEW
But Within the Velvet Glove OF
Cancellation Is the Iron
Hand of Purpose.

Hand of Purpose.
How American newspapers view the
administration reply to the German
note is shown by the following com
ments telegraphed to The Tribune:
Baltimore American"
II the people Of the United States
were insistent upon the issues between
the United States and Germany being
set forth in vigorous language and with
direct insistence upon the satisfaction
asked being given, they will be disap-
pointed in the note that the President
has sent TO Germany. There is
only one conclusion TO be drawn from
the note. and that is that the represen-
tations made through Ambassador
BernstorT and his special agent will
fortify the note. Germany is being
given the opportunity of retiring with
out chagrin from its submarine at
tacks.
There will be no war result from this
note and no breach Of relations with
Germany. What else remains to be
seen.
indianapolis Star"
Courteously and firmly the stern de-
mands Of our former declaration are
reiterated; yet there is no brusque re-
sentiment of Germsny's doubt as 20 the
Lusitania's status, as some fire eaters
would have insisted upon. There
is q great difference between this polite
consideration of the German argument
and the pro-Ally demand that the Ger
man suggestion on this head should be
thrown unceremoniouSly out OF court.
Cleveland Leader
President Wilson'S second note TO
the German government, like the frst.
assert. the duty of the government OF
the United States to defend and up
hold the rights of humanity whenever
and to whatever extent these rights
may be violated at the cost OF American
citizens. their property and their lives.
There is no weakening of the --merlcan
position. no suggestion OF compro-
mise. The issue is for the German
government TO determine.
Buffalo Courier"
If there is ANYTHING surprising in
connection with this note ii is Mr..
Bryan's refusal to sign it after he
had signed the note of Nav -. The
second note has in it not one word
nor declaration inconsistent with the
preceding note. 1t is simply friendly
but firm restatement of the case by
the government of the United States
on behalf of the people of the United
States; so wonderfully strong because
of its moderation. simplicity and
recognition of the rights Of humanity
that neither the German nor any other
government can take issue with 1t.
With an invincible cause, the tenn
perate tone is one of the strongest
elements.
Philadelphia Inquirer"
Not one word is spoken in anger in
the note of the President of the United
States to the German government.
From beginning to end il is soothing.
Great care very evidently has been
taken to avoid giving offence. In this
respect it goes to extremes. There
are those who will consider II weak.
Il is conservative. not weak. And
il is conservative only in word con-
struction. for the insistence that
American lives and American ships
shall be safeguarded is there, and as
surances are asked that this shall be
done.
II is not a demand couched in bel
ligerent phrases. 1t is set forth in the
most friendly terms. But beneath the
velvet glove of Cancellation there is
the iron hand of purpose. and the Ger
man government would do well to dis
Germ it there.
Pittsburgh Gazette Times"
There is no such brad declaration on
the use of submarines a.. was con-
tanned in the first note, the conclusion
combining itself to expressing eXpecta-
tion that Germany will adopt measures
necessary "for the safeguarding of
American lives and American ships"
Here there is a chance for Germany to
relieve the situation without loss of
prestige or dignity.
Syracuse "Post-Standard."
There is no recession from the orig
inal declaration of American rights.
There is, however, call for an UNI
equivocal reply, for in the last few
words the President requests that
there shall be assurance from Germany
that its war upon American ships and
American travellers shall cease.
Philadelphia public Ledger"
II there are those who expected the
new note to Germany to be fiat ulti
matum, putting all end to all discus
sion or negotiation, they will be dis
appointed. Its terms are imperative in
deed, but they still leave a possibility
Of an amicable settlement of the issue
To the great body of the American
people, who cherish a high conception
of the national honor and wish to see
it worthily maintained, It's restrained
and dignifed yet emphatic and direct
language will seem to be entirely sat-
isfsctory.
New Orleans 'Times-Picsyune."
The Presidents rejoinder to Berlin
is as firm and as admirably phrased as
the history note of May 10.
The position stated in that companion
document is reaffirmed
Mi..annalis ..,Crihunen