Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-07-14

plain the determination Oh the AHaef'
can people.
If you are not satisfied with what
the President is doing. why do you
not offer some suggestions as to what
should be done at this time, instead OF
implying that the President should
accomplish something which is beyond
his reach? In the humble opinion OF
some of US who have more or less
sympathy with the German side OF the
question, the President is up
stump" Now, considering that no
more can be gained by relteraung
first one side and then the other OF
the controversy, just what would you
do next, supposing you were Presi-
dent Of the United States?
Readfield, Juy l., 1918.
Our sarcastic Readfield friend of
professed German sympathy should
kindly bear in mind that the Kennebec
Journal has never attempted to in
struct President Wilson as to his du-
ties or course in the present crisis
with Germany, but has promptly APP
proved his very able setting forth Of
the American contention in every in
been our loyalty to the President in
his attitude that it has caused COM
ment among other newspapers, and on
each occasion, since the exchange Of
notes and replies between the two
powers, the kennebec Journal has re-
ceived Geographic requests from some
of the greatest newspapers in the
country for summary of our editorial
expression, to be wired those papers
for early editions. Thus the position
Of the Kennebec Journal, a life long
Republican newspaper standing loyal
ly behind a Democratic President in a
crisis in the country's affairs, has been
circulated all over the land.
We now have neither criticism nor
suggestion to offer President Wilson at
the most critical moment of the con-
troversy with Germany. We have rea-
son to believe that he, with Secretary
of State Lansing are not only compe-
SO deal with it as to be entirely salts
factory to the great majority of the
US for statement of what we would
do under these conditions, and we say
to you frankly: Germany, in the Ian
guage of the street, has invited the
United States 10 put up or shut up"
and we believe it is the duty Of the
American administration to put up"
After two months of waiting for Ger
many to express her regrets at the loss
OF American life in the destruction of
the Lusitania, for an apology and Of
fer Of repdration, We are answered in
a manner that is insulting. Germany
tells US, in effect, that the only manner
in which We can secure safety for our
citizens at sea, Is to surrender their
rights under international law to ac-
commodate the requirements Of Ger
many's submarine warfare. Further
parleying on our part, would classify
the American position as 'watchful
. waiting" which has become SO disas-
trous and humiliating in the case of
Mexico. To remain silent would con-
.yict us of bluffing, and the only course
hand" In that case single course
. 10 open to US, to prepare an ultimatum
addressed to the Imperial German
Government, requesting an answer
within a certain number of days such
answer to meet the previous requests
Of the American government. Failing
to receive such satisfactory assurance,
the United States government. would.
Mt the end Of the stipulated time with
reluctance and regret. of course) be
compelled to sever diplomatic relations
with Germany. Our reason would be
that we had become convinced by re-
cent events that the German war party
intends to persist in breaking the laws
Of God and man, Of humanity and
morality and we can no longer suffer
contact with such a government.
We hope that President Wilson has
q better way Of preserving the dig
nifty and honor of the United States
and of maintaining the rights Of neu-
trail powers. without recourse to an
] ultimatum, but we suspect that he is
.anxiously awaiting an expression of
the sentiment Of the American peo-
pie. To send an ultimatum to the
war lord is to give Germany one more
opportunity to respect the rights Of a
friendly nation; also to give her the
next move in the controversy. II,
however. the President and his adj
visers can devise any means Of i'm
pressing upon the German Imperial
Government the full gravity Of the
situation without conveying to the
people Of America and of Germany the
understanding that the United States
Is looking for way out Of holding
Germany to strict accountability for
past and future offences, We hope that