Evening journal., 1915-05-15

In reading the message which the
President of the United States has adj
dressed TO the Imperial German Gov
ernment IL is necessary at the outset
TO consider the situation as it pre-
sented itself 10 this nation on the
morrow of the destruction of the
Lusitauia
That destruction, with the conse-
quent loss of more than hundred
American lives, was in itself a war
rant for war when the German Off
cial statement affirmed the RESPONSE
bility OF a German craft. for the act
and accepted the act as expressing
the will of the German Government
On that state OF facts, the United
States through Congress. was justi-
fed in declaring war, if war ever
be justifiable
But nothing can be palmer than
the fact that, indignant, outraged
aroused as the American people were
their desire was not for a declara-
tion of war. Terrible as the crime
was, frightful as was the offence
against this nation, against all civil.
ization, Il was still the overwhelming
desire Of the American people to re-
frain from hOstilities-there was still
a hope that German conscience, Ger
man sense of decency and humanity.
would avail to abolish the madness
disclosed in the massacre of the Lusi-
tania.
To have gone TO war to avenge the
dead to vindicate national honor, to
enter a world strife on such terms,
was thing American love OF peace,
OF humanity, forbade Such being the
unmistakable case there was left but
one course, one duty one necessity.
This was that the President should
endeayor through the regular chan
nels of diplomacy to obtain from the
German Government not merely or
chiefly reparation for injury endured
hut guarantee against a repetition
of such massacre as that Of the
Lusitania and such breaches of in
ternational law as we're contained in
the Falaba, Frye and Cushing Incl
dents.
Once the President, with the full
sanction and approval of the Ameri-
can people. had decided to appeal to
the German Government, and not to
arms. the exact character of his mis-
sion was defined. 1t was imperative
that in appealing from German acts
of savagery to German sense OF NOR
ality and decency there should be no
suggestion of weakness, of timidity,
of hesitation; no hint that the nation
which was willing to avoid war hon
crably would consent to surrender its
inalienable rights, abate one lot or
title Of its obligations to its citi-
zens, to itself. In a word. II was
essential that the German Govern
ment should recognize that the Amer
ican nation did not fear war, even
though it hated it; that it sought to
avoid strife not because it feared
Germany, but simply because It loath-
ed barbarism and in the midst OF
worldwide strife remained faithful
l's Of civilization.
What he had TO do Mr.. Wilson has
done with utmost completeness.
Speaking for a whole nation, he has
set forth the American case against
the German government in language
that cannot be mistaken. He has
done more than this-he has drawn
an indictment against the German ma
ton which will lie for all ages to
come. II the Kaiser's government fails
now to meet the demands Of the Presi-
dent of the United States, promptly
and completely
II is but natural that every Ameri-
can, satisfied in advance Of the JUS