The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-13

mans IN this country. regardless "
what may be their connection with
the German Government or people,
IRE subject to influences OF environ
lncnt Of which the German Govern
nent itself and the German people are
not even aware. These Germans an.
derstand thoroughly the American
point Of view; theirs IL double Ioint
vt view. embracing both the German
and the American. Their Government;
and certainly their countrymen At
home will only with the creates diff.
Guilty. II at all, look at their problem
as regards the United States from the
American US well AZ the German
standpoint This difficulty is fully
appreciated here. and experience ~
the past makes 1t difficult Tor OBJ
servers here TO accept at it's face
value the German attitude AZ cx-
pressed here.
II is explained on behalf of Ger
many that 1t was not dreamed In tho
case Of the Lusitania ths' he vessel
would sink So quickly; that II was
supposed she would remain aiioat long
into boats in safety. The answer to
this is that there is "A point when
negligence becomes so great that IN"
intention may properly he assumed
ia be in accord with the character OF
The act and its consequences.
The one concrete suggestion which
cmsnates from German sources here
is that the United States and Ger
many may possibly arrive AT break
in the threatened deadlock by ar
ranging that passenger carrying ocean
iraffic shall be separated from traffic
carrying contraband of war. As set
forth in these columns recently, the
German POINT of view is that the
United States ought tn see to IL that
none of its citizens takes passage on
British vessels carrying munitions "
war Were this proposed separation
effected, II is the claim OF Germans
here. American life would always
hc safe 80 IA. as German submarines
are concerned.
This proposal IL known 10 officials
here. and IL does not in their opinion
meet the issue at al. The sugges-
ton. they say. is like changing the
laws during the process Of litigation
that no proposal as to procedure on
The part Of American citizens in tho
future car affect the present issue
which il the attacks by Germany on
Americans in the exercise Of what tn,
civilized world holds to be the com
mon right Of traversing the high seas
on vessels not ships e war. II is not
for Americans, il IN declared. tC
reveal their Interpretation of theii
rights on the high seas to suit the
convenience Of Germany's desire &
destroy cortrabind of war on the higl
seas: II is rather-and this is declared
"a be the whole issue---for German
to make her efforts to destroy con
traband conform not merely To VIVA
is called international law but thi
centuries old principles of wariar,
and the common laws of humanity.
Whether this proposal on the par
OF Germans here will be put forwsr,
by the German Government is re
c1rded ~ a question open to gray,
doubts in view of the differences be
tween the point of view OF Germans IL
this country and Germans In Ger
many already pointed out. However
there are seen also signs Of a some
what more conciiatory attitude on tn
part of the German Government,
notably its circular TO neutrals re
ceived here yesterday. The Germa,
Government not only reversed itsel
to the extent OF accepting response
billy and willingness to atone for at
tacks on neutral vessels not carrying
contraband but also exhibited NOR
concl!atory tone than heretofore.
This note is known to have bee
written in Berlin last Sunday, tw
days after the torpedoing Of the lusi
tania, and is attributed entirely 70 III
shocking effect that act had on worl
opinion of Germany's programme. an
particularly to the extent To which
stirred the American people. II |
thought possible she may be brough
to yield further by the oIArations O
these same forces.
one thing is considered absolutel
certain-that If the present crisis
safely passed there need he no furthe
fear of d.sagreeable, irritating an
even insulting activities on the par
OF either the German Government @
Its representatives here. The though
and attitude of the American Govern
ment and the American people in tn
last few days is believed To have ha
q SOLDERING effect upon Germany.
is felt that the notion that in no cir
cumstanccs would the United State
seriously contemplate action or man
fest resentment at anything German
might see fit 10 do is permanent
eliminated from German thought.