Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1915-05-08
SATURDAY MAY 8. 1915
an INrAMOus rIEcE Or wORk.

AN INFAMOUS PIECE OF WORK.
THAT was an Infamous piece of work that per-
petrated by Germany off the of Ireland and
for which the civilized world will call it to strict
account
The destruction of the Cunard liner Lusitania by
submarine that gave absolutely warming Of its pur
pose thar made no provision whatever for the safety
of the thousands Of non-combaant men, and
children board that sank from sight and left
the victims Of its pratcal work to live or die as chance
might favor. is of the crimes against cyili-
cation that been perpetrated in that has
featured by gigantic crimes Belgium and elsewhere.
The question that naturally arises is what those
tons which believe in and live up the rules Of civil
lied warfare going to do about it, In view Of tho
declarations by President Wilson and his
administration the German Government is is espeo-
tally interesting to know what Washington will do in
view Of the fact that the Germans knew, when they
planned to blow up the big Cunardor that there
American citizens that If the destructive
plans carried out they inevitably would involve
The lives Of those Americans and might destroy
The situation is one with which our government
certainly must deal in no uncertain way The assault
upon non-combatant Americans who the Lusi-
ania in the face of the representations that had
made by President Wilson. afront to this country
that cannot be overlooked by government CLOSED
over by diplomatic exchanges between Washington and
Rim.
u Up the crime of yesterday the situation
"a Of the present war; so affected the United
states resulted from the sinking Of the American
steamship Gulaieht and the killing her commander
and two members of her crew by a German submarine
= The press dispatches showed that was fired
upon without or attempt the nature
Of her nationality cargo They also showed that
large American Gag displayed the ship at
the time of the wanton attack which had no iustifca
ton and was carried out in accordance with the re-
Grated declaration of Germany that neutral vessels
entered the so-caed zone at their own peril The
Freye and the Falaba incidents to be looked
upon as less aggravating than the Gulaght incident.
The outrageous attack that was made upon American
neutrals who were on the Lusitana. however over
Guaigh and other outrases notwithsiand-
ing the circumstances surrounding those attacks were
materially different in view of the fact that the Lusi-
tania was sailing under the British flag A wave Of in
iienation against Germany swept this country
and the civilized world. There was lsS Americans on
the ill-sared craft and majority OF them according
% cable advices have lost their lives.
Germany may set up the plea that warning had beer
given the Americans TO keep their ships and them
selves out Of the zone had been fixed by tn,
German Admiralty. In reply to such a plea it should
not be forgotten that the United States Government
that warning by replying that it would be difficult
tor this country to the sinking Of an American
vessel or the killing of Americans in any other lgh
than as an ndefensble violation Of neutral rights
It said further that this Government would be con
strained to hold the Imperial German Government L
strict accountability"
Well Germany has sunk American ships and sh
has killed Americans The next is clearly up t
President Wilson and his advisors. II remains to b
seen whether he what he said in that messss
Germany and is going to stand back Of it, or
willing have the American people swallow this la
est anront that has come as a result of ruthless Gel
man naval policy. One thing is certain. 1t is th'
there must be an immediate understanding with &c
many that is in harmony with American honor. II
people Of this country certainly will
y Satanance OF the destruction Of American life an
property.
AS regards the effect of the destruction of the LUIS
tania upon the in Europe, while it may inerfe
with passenger trafc across the Atlantic certain
win not drive British ships from the high seas On
other hand it should strengthen British determn
ton TO see thing through" and also to slim
late the of recruiting troops swell the big al
effective army of Lord Kitchener. In the end if I
Allies realize their confident expectation of vcto
Germany viii pay in full for the Lusitania and for