The Washington herald., 1915-06-11
Germany Nearer a Reckoning.

PRESIDENT wilson tor the third time IN note
which he penned and which is signed by the act.
ing Secretary of State, presents an incontrover-
tible case against Germany. Up to a certain point
! it contributes to the making of a splendid page
in American history. A reading of it will convince
not only all Americans, but all the world Of the
reality OF our grievances and the justice of our
demand for redress and cessation of the outrages
against flag. The first question which will sug-
gest itself is why Mr. Bryan should have chosen
to cause break in the Cabinet rather than to sign
it Probably there not a hundred true Ameri-
cans who would not be proud to have their names
attached to the document that is to have place
in their countrys history; and of these one hun
dred some would withhold their full approval be-
cause after masterfu arraignment of the Of
fender against American rights and American hon
Or the note, did the two which went before it,
fails to prescribe penalty for the grave offenses
of which we have now repeatedly complained and
furnished the proof
President Wilson's communication wipes from
the slate every one of Germanys subterfuges and
pretexts for parley and delay. 1t reiterates in
stronger terms. if possible, demands that
American life and property at shall be safe
from attack by German submarines and sweeps
aside the bubble and evasion that characterized
every line of the German reply to our protest
against the murder of Americans on the Lusi-
tania and the Falaba. The President logically
and properly refuses to consider the impudent
preposterous and insincere claim of Germany that
the Lusitana was, in fact, ship of war, disposing
Of it thus emphatically: Fortunately these are
matters concerning which the Government of the
United States is in position to give the Imperial
German Government official information. 1t
was its duty to see to it that the Lustana was not
nod Tor +b,& IL.
ing a transport, that she did not carry cargo
prohibited by the statutes OF the United States
and that, if in fact she was naval vessel of
as merchantman; and it performed that duty
and enforced its statutes with scrupulous vigi-
lance through its regularly constituted officials
1t is able. therefore, to the Imperial Ger
man Government that it has been msinformcd"
There can be further bubble to the Lusi-
tania infamy, and : regards the Falaba the Pres
ideat is more emphatic in his scorn OF Ger
manys false and feeble pretexts. He proclams:
1.-THE Government OF the United States is surprised
to find the Imperial German Government con-
tending that an effort on the part OF merchant
man to escape capture and secure assistance alters
the obligation of the officer seeking TO make the
capture in respect OF the safety Of tho lives of
those on board the merchantmen
These, however, may be regarded as merely
diplomatic rcfutations of Gcrmanys time gaining
pleadings. President Wilson touches the heart of
the country when he says: "Whatever be the other
facts regarding the Lusitania the principal fact
is that great steamer, primarily and chiefly
for passengers and CARRYING more
than thousand souls who had part or lot in
the conduct of the war, torpedoed and sunk
without much challenge warning,
and that men, women, and children sent to
their death in circumstances unparalleled in
modern warfare. The fact that more than one
hundred American citizens were among those
who persisted made it the duty OF the Government
of the United States to speak of these things and
once more, with solemn emphasis. to call the at
tcntion of the Imperial German Government to
the grave responsibility which the Government
OF the United States conceves that it has in
Cured in this tragic occurrence and to the indis-
puable principle upon which that responsibility
rests"
That is the crime for which the American
people demanding retribution. The killing
of those American passengers on the Lusitania
made certain their support OF President Wilson, |
TO any length he might CO. and made equally !
certain the rejection of the fanatica doctrine Of
peace at any price even the price OF national
dlShonor. In the present crisis the preacher of
that doctrine may be OF hooting audience
Rejecting it does all OF Germany's bubble, |
evasion subterfuge and pretcnse the Presidents
notc, it must be confessed, marks no very great
progress. 1t reiterates, but it carefully rcirans
rom any expression that could possibly be con-
'trued ultmatum even a demand This |
lime it expects" and casks for assurances" but
while these expressions may not be recognized in
Berlin as the American form OF nsistcnce it i.
difficult TO imagine any process by which the
<aiscr's government longer cvade the issue
Il has been driven a little nearer the point where
he plain answer of yes" or no will be the
only possible reply.