New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-05
Get Rid of All the Plotters!

The only surprising thing ABOUT Ihe
Presidents dismissal Of Captain Boy-Ed
and Captain Won Papen Is that it should
have been delayed so long. These Ger
man attaches had long been personde non
gratae to the American public. They had
over-abused the country's tolerance and
exhausted its patience.
1t has been obvious for many months
that these two diplomatic agents were en-
gagged in activities through which they
had forfeited their privileged status.
They were deeply involved in German
propaganda work here which was IN con-
hict with the unwritten law Of diplomacy.
They were concerned in agitations which
dealt with domestic questions and affected
domestic interests. Their offences, the
public was convinced, were Of the same
nature and just as serious as the offences
for which Ambassador Dumba's recall
was demanded
The two Germa. attaches have tried to
exculpate themselves by saying that they
were merely executing the orders of their
government. Undoubtedly they were act
ing under instructions from Berlin. They
were merely instruments of the arrogant
and cynical policy of intimidation which
German diplomacy has been pursuing In
this country ever since the war began.
German and Austro-Hungarian agents
both diplomatic and non-diplomatic-have
been organizing sentiment here for the
purpose of swerving our government from
a strict programme of neutrality. They
have sought TO interfere with our legit-
mate export traffic in war munitions, to
cripple munitions plants operating under
the protection of our laws, and to destroy
vessels lawfully carrying merchandise
from our harbors.
This policy of interference with Amer
lean interests has been based on the no.
tor, exploited even before the war by
General Won Bernhard, that the political
influence of Americans of German descent
would be powerful enough to compel the
American government to wink at German
aggressions. There was some excuse for
this theory, since the German govern
3
which had intimated both publicly and
privately that il was "too proud to fight"
and which had let reparation for the
Lusitania murders wait for more than
seven months, undoubtedly contributed to
Berlin's belief that German conspiracies
here would not be inquired into with in
convenient diligence.
But at last we have reached the point
at which patience has ceased to appeal
even to a weakened and phrase-loving
administration. 1t is announced from
Washington that the State Department
put off asking for the recall of Captains
Boy-Ed and Won Papen until it learned
definitely that Germany did not intend to
disavow the Lusitania massacre. So long
as the issue was in doubt Germany's SEN
sibilities were not to be rufled by the ex-
pulsion of any of her propagandists in
this country. But that last delicate con-
cession was offered in vain. Boyd and
Won Papen have to go, and their depart
ure, it is to be hoped, presages many other
departures.
The administration has gotten nowhere
with its policy Of fabby Cancellation. II
could not win a disavowal Of the Lusi-
tania crime by ignoring the fragrant Of
fences here of Germany's diplomatic rep
resentatives. 1t has been forced to rec
ognize that Germany is not TO be brought
20 account by polite notes or by still po-
liter blindness to the activities Of Teuton
plotters against our peace and safety.
II is time that the administration got
back on the right track. German deter
mination must be met by American de-
termination. II Is essential to make a
thorough house-cleaning Of the alien con-
gpirators who have been operating here
with so free hand. Let them all go!
When Berlin discovers that the United
States means business II may begin TO
think seriously Of making atonement for
the Lusitania horror.