New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-12
Wilson Hears Cabinet on Lusitania Outrage but Remains Silent
February 10 last TO the German For
etQn Of1ce said:

etgn Once ssid:
"The government Of the United
States views these possibilities (the
possibilities OF attack suggested in the
German Admiralty proclamation with
such grave concern that Il feels II 20
be It's privilege and. indeed, Its duty In
the circumstances 20 request the i'm
perlal German government 20 consider
before action IL taken the critical
situation in respect OF the relations
between this country and Germany
which might arise were the German
naval forces, IN carrying out the policy
foreshadowed IN the Admiralty's proc
lamstion. 70 destroy any merchant yes
sel Of tho United States or cause the
death OF American citizens.
n such a deplorah.e situation should
arise the imperial German government
can readily appreciate that the govern
nent Of the United States would be
constrained 70 hold the Imperial Ger
man governments 20 strict accounta-
bility for such acts Of their naval au-
,horities and 20 take any steps nsces-
sary 10 safeguard American lives and
property and TO secure to the American
citizens the full enjoyment Of their
tights on the high seas"
At Philadelphia last night the Presi-
dent said:
The example % America must be
special example. The example must be
The example not merely Of peace be-
cause It will not fight, but Of peace
because peace is the healing and ele-
vating influence OF the world. and
strife is not.
There is such a thing as a man be
ing too proud 70 fight. There is such
has1C Y7CHt that
IL does not need 70 convince others by
force that Il is right
How far does the expression by the
President Of what ne describes as his
personal thought override and snnul
he earlier expression Of the govern
ment's official thought? Is the phrase
strict accountability" in the note OF
February 10 20 be REDEEMED in tho
ght Of the fantastic philosophy Of
.fatosman who believes that there IS
such a thing as nation being so right
hat i does not need 70 convince
others that il IS right
Those who found encouragement IN
the clarity and frmness of the State
Departments letter 81 February 10 are
now cast down. They had hoped for
q new departure. for the emergence
81 new point in view, in President
Wilson's diplomacy. The Philadelphia
speech. with its exaggerated altrulsm
and its inopportune congratulations has
cuenched that hope. 1t has restruck
talse note only too familiar in the
conduct Of our foreign relations since
March (, 1918. Its glowing ldeahsm
recalls that other Philadelphia speech
made on Independence Day last year
Ia which the President pictured the
mission of the United States in Mex
ca mission Of moral and social re-
construction never destined 70 be real
Iceland now happily forgotten.
Mr.. Wilson did not take secretary
Fryan with him to Philadelphia. But
he took with him Mr.. Byran's un-
uttered counsel and unpresented point
of view. The Secretary Of State was
vreathed in smiles to-day. Yesterday
lie looked depressed almost sup
tressed. He was anxious. subdued.
unmagnetic. To-day many persons
commented on the change which hao
come over his spirit. Mr.. WILSON'S
speech, he said, was admirable. IL
vas more than admirable. Mr.. Bryan
night have said that 1t was CnAu-