Evening journal., 1915-07-16
Thinking Straight
CFrom the New York TrIbune)

desires. the national demand. but by
document which ignores the American
case. tho Lusitsnia issue and appeals
over the heads of the President and
the government to the peopie-above
all to those whose sympathies and
efforts it can depend upon.
Now note the immediate conHs-
quence Ridder. in his newspaper,
begins to demand that there be an
end of "one man government" opepr
the attack upon the President by
insinuation and seeks to muddy all
the waters. Instead OF a clear issue
with Germany over American rights
the whole thing is to be turned into
an internal broil.
The reason is simple There is only
one thing Mr.. Wilson can do. There Is
no area Of manoeuvre for him. He
cannot produce a solution as the par
lor performer produces a rabbit from
hat. There is only one conceivable
solution outside Of the severance of
] diplomatic relations. He can only re-
iterate his demands that our wrongs
be repaired, our rights defended, re-
affirm our determination to defend
/ them henceforth. No chief executive
can take any other course. no man
could abandon American rights Amer
ican dead, and survive the shame.
SC the German attack is directed at
Mr. Wilson. He is TO be discredited,
/ IL possible Meantime the mere words
! the soft, suave words in which the
! German government avoids discussing
the real issue. are emphasized as
proof of German gentleness, kindness
good intent.
Let us not be deceived by methods
which. however unnecessary, It may
be 10 characterize, must be under
stood A solemn, a terrible RESPONSE
bility is upon the President II is the
more terrible because there is no es-
cape from a course which carries
with it consequences which all of us
can see It Is the duty of Americans
to support him in this crisis. II is
also the duty Of patriotism to protect
him from the campaign that has al
ready been launched against him.
If there is war with Germany il will
not be Of MIR. Wilson's making. II
there is war it will come because by
some further act of Germany Ameri-
can citizens are slain. If more Amer
leans are slain Mr.. Wilson could not
prevent war But he cannot surren-
der American rights he must reas-
sert them. defend them in any new
note to Germany And in doing this
he must have the support Of his fell
low-countrymen, whose servant he is
and whose will he is obeying.
Let us not forget the British Incl
dent Let us not fail to see in the
Italian episode the lesson that is
there for us German diplomacy is
working against Mr.. Wilson as il
worked against Asduith and Grey,
against Salandra and Sonnino when
they were doing what had TO be done
what national honor and safety de-
manded. Thousands of Englishmen
now perceive the extent to which they
are duped Giolitti has gone into a re-
tirement more profound than Mr.
Bryan's. II is not necessary, il is
unjust to believe Mr. Bryan was a
willing dupe We need waste no
time denouncing the method. But
We must recognize it.
, The most fatal thing at this time
[ for American interests would be ever
a temporary success of Germany ir
[ her campaign to divide American sen
timent and confuse American opinion
l. Her success in England was onl.
I temporary, but it imperilled England
- existence. Her success in Italy wa
e ephemeral, but it almost produced {
e revolution. There should be no tenn
I porary success here. The Presiden
S of the United States. in the discharg
70 OF his highest duty, the defence o
e American rights and American lives
{ deserves the undivided support of
{ nation. He deserves it the more be
cause to serve the interests Of a Ell
r ropan nation ne is being assailed il
g ! America.