Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-06-11
History Is a mighty drama, en-
acted upon the theater Of time.
with suns for lamps, and Eternity
for a background.-Carly
The 1 Attest Note to Germany.

The Latest Note to Germany.
The mote" just submitted to the
German government is calm state
sment: an assurance that the German
Imperial government is proceeding to
meet the American demand from
standpoint Of misinformation. 1t is
not Bryanesque in construction; 1t Is
not trucking. In most courteous sur
roundings and faultless setting Of Eng
lish language the German government
is informed that the United States
is in position to give official infor-
nation" concerning the cargo Of the
Lusitania that with scrupulous vigil
ance, through its regularly constituted
officials" the government had perform
ed it's duty and enforced it's statutes
In giving clearance to the English
tmerchantman; that the German gov
eminent has been misinformed; that
the Lusitania was NOT armed for Of
fensive action; that she was NOT
serving as transport; that she did
NOT carry a cargo prohibited by the
Statutes.
And then, in the same select con-
struction, breathing the same calm,
judicial attitude and nicely of poise
comes with unacceptable logic and pile
driver force the verdict of Christian
scivilization-that 1.-The sinking Of a
passenger ship involves principles Of
humanity which throw into the back
ground any special circumstances of
detail that may be thought to affect
the cases principles which lift
it out Of the class Of ordinary
subjects OF diplomatic discussion"
Every loyal American, of whatever
national extraction, will agree with the
President and his official advisers. that
the Lusitania, "a great steamer pri-
marily and chiefly a conveyance for
passengers, and carrying more than
thousand souls,' who had entrusted
themselves to it's care and the protec-
ton which the centuries of civiliza-
i'tion and it's international laws had
guaranteed, twas torpedoed and sunk
without so much as a challenge or a
wsrning," was an act unparalleled in
modern warfare and will go farther
in expressing the conviction that it
was unparalleled in cowardly ferocity
i Americans and other neutrals have
the Lusitania could have been per-
petrated only through the fear that
the new German system of waging
war was incompetent to comply with
the requirements Of international law;
that the commander of the submarine
preferred to send thousands Of hu-
man beings into eternity without
chance for life, rather than take the
chances himself of fulfilling the re-
quirements of international agree
sments. The act Of the German COM
mander was an act of cowardice.
{ But the American note of June 9,
leaves that to the German interpre-
tation of the facts which it presents.
Every sentence is courteous and gem
erous in the opportunity given to
make the best of a serious matter
q matter SO serious as to be nothing
less high and sacred than the rights
Of humanity"
After reading the full text of the
mote Of June 9 to Germany, we fail to
discover the severity" that shuts out
Unlimited discussion with Germany Of
the incidents in controversy, or end
less negotiations for friendly agree
.ment and adjustment. We fail to find
the "irreconcilable difference between
the Presidents attitude today and that
presented in the note Of May 10 which
w. ]. Bryan signed as secretary Of
state. In substance, after a careful
reading Of the latest communion
from the Washington government and
just as carefully considering the state
ment Of Mr.. Bryan published discour-
teously in advance of the government
note, and Of Mr.. Bryans appeal ito
the American people" sent out to be
read in the same hour as the govern
ment note, we must conclude that the
premier who has just stepped down
had deliberately awaited the moment
when his sensational break with the
administration would attract to him
the widest attention In that he has
succeeded in way to crafty the
utmost longing for the lime light.
AS we had felt confident. the Presi-
dent has not lowered the high plane
of the American contention. We be-
lieve the note made public Thursday
is equally able and consistent with
that other so generally approved by
the American people. We unhesitat-
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