Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-07-28

all circumstances. is the opposite OF
reasonable right or correct reason.
| says:
I'VE arc not so slsvishly unfrce In
| our thinking as Americans are told.
We believe that MIR. Wilson essentially
! is not free. and that his ideas OF
humanity and neutrality arc not volun-
tarily in accord with the interests of
his electors. Especially those OF us
who have not forsotten even in this
war that Anticipated views and ar
ranGcmcnts must he ovcrcomc. have
laid great store 10y the Friendship OF
American democracy but we see with
regret that President Wilson. though
n Democrat. advances the interests less
OF peaccable democracy than those OF
gain-hunsry plutocracy.
I'VE have an urgent desire TO have
the rules of humanity observed, so far
RS possible. and to use all means TO
rescue and give protection to sea trav-
elers. but there must he n practical
means to this humane purpose. 1t is
not humane. instead II is misuse of
this noble word. when IL is eXacted
that protection of life must serve as
protection for an enemy attack or for
trade in ammunition"
Jacob Frank. wcll-known jurist
discusses in the Nossischc -Zeituns sub
marine warfare from n legal stand
point. He maintains that the United
States no more has right to protest
against the sinking OF the Lusitanin by
weapon not yet regulated by inter
national law than by mines. which Ger
many had right TO lay in the path of
the vessel.
The Socialist Noerwarts is the only
Berlin newspaper not commenting OF
the note. 1t prints brief summary
OF what its contemporaries have said.
but publishes no opinion of its own.
PROVINCIAL. PAPERS
AGREE WITH MERLIN
The comment of the principal pro-
rincial newspapers agrees with that of
the Berlin press--that the American
note is entirely unsatisfactory and
leaves Germany no alternative except
to continue her submarine warfare
against hostile commerce. regardless of
consequences. unless Great Britain, as
IL result of the Forthcoming note from
Washington, sees fit to change her.
illegal blockade policy"
The Koelnische zeitung. after review
Ing the various steps in the nerotia-
lions, says:
germany VIII neither dISaNOW the
sinking of the Lusitania nor offer in
identification for the lives OF the reck-
less Americans who pcrished on the
steamer. Germany will continue her
submarine warfare in the same man
ner as in the past two months"
The Frankfurter Zeituns also holds
that Germany cannot make disavowal
Of. or give compensation for. the sink
ing OF the Lusitania The reasons
given are: FIRST, because il would shift
the blame TO the shoulders of the brave
officer who acted according to orders,
and, second, because payment of aom-
pensation would TIC misinterpreted as
recognition that Germany was in the
wrong.
The concluding phrase OF the Ameri-
can note is described as IAN earnest
declaration whose significance and pos
sible consequences are not open to doubt
but which cannot terrify US
The newspaper continues: Germany
cannot afford TO abandon her subma-
rine warfare because Of threats, and If
President Wilson persists in his dog
matte views. the world must bear the
consequences"
The Frankfurter Zeitung, however
says that the last word has not been
spoken. and expresses the hope that il
is sim possible 10 reach an understand
ing.