Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-17
VIII Germany Offer to Arbitrate?


9 HOULD Germany propose to submit to ar
~ bitration her differences with this coun-
try-even those critical and vital differences
that were made the theme of President Will
sons protest-it Will be no easy thing for
the United States to refuse acouiescence
Refusal would be made even more difficult
should Germany agree, pending the decision
OF the arbitrators, to cease the methods of
warfare from which have evolved the viola
lions of law and right that base and buttress
our demands.
This nation has been the leader Of the
world movement for international arbitration
1t has negotiated treaties of arbitration with
many other countries. Those Of its leading
men, who by reason of their unofficial status
have been in position to discuss such ques-
lions with frank openness, have been a unit
almost in suggesting some form Of arbitra-
ton. enforced and sanctioned by a congress
or world powers, as one of the instrumental
ties for preventing the repetition of the
horrors that now stagger mankind
II Germany, therefore, should make the
suggestion which the usually well-informed
Nossische Zetung declares is favored in high
government circles at Berlin, consenting in
the meantime. to abandon her submarine war
fare against merchant shipping. it is not per-
ceived how the answer from Washington
could be anything but favorable.
Contrast. however, these indications of Ger
outburst from the Cologne Gazette, which,
under the heading ITO Neutrals.' is printed
on that semiofficial Journals first page:
The Lusitana for hostile
ship To destroy it right and
duty. We are the objects of bitter rage.
and are called Huns, harbarians and
nurderers simply because. German
smartness and bravery have accom-
plished brilliant stroke. but now
neutrals are warned. They have seen
the oioodH seriousness Of our submarine
warfare Let them abstain from further
foolhardness. for the fate OF the Lus-
tania will be shared by other English
oversee steamships. and every neutral
who trusts himself to them courts the
tate which overlook the passengers on
the Lusitania. The abuse in tho neu-
trail press up TO now be dismissed
as expression of naivete which is not
conscious of the gravity of the affair
if the abuse continues it will no longer
be naive. but impertinent.
This publication was on May 10, antedating
the Presidents note. 1t may be that even
IN Germany there has been time for sober
second thought, an operation the wisdom of
which is suggested urgently by what has
been called 1.-The deadly suavity" of Mr. vii
son S words
we confess that this earlier utterance ac-
cords far better with our conception of Ger
nan sentiment than it's more diplomatic and
conciliating successors. We have found II
difhcult to understand how Germany could
retreat from the positions it has procla lined
so loudiy-and to suggest arbitration would
ne retreat. Heretofore there has been moth
ing but contempt for the opinions of neutral
nations; arbitration involves respectful CON
slderation for opinions SO bitterly condemned.
The policy of "frightfulness the rule of
blood and :ron, will have lost in moment
large share of their significance It will
not be easy to keep a consciousness of this
from the minds of the German people