The Washington herald., 1915-05-10
THE OPEN FORUM.
Should Demand Instant and Complete
Reparation Of Germany.

Editor of The Washington Herald: Can
it be denied with truth that Germany has
given this country cause for war-casus
belli-in more than one instance? At the
very beginning OF the war in Europe.
Germany flouted this nation i'll the vio-
lation of the Belgian treaty to which il
and this country were sisnatory powers.
In former years that act alone would
have been cause enough for the breaking
off of diplomatic relations. as in the
case of Great Britain. By the way, our
State Department did not even enter pro-
test in re that scrap of paper The
dove of peace, not the eagle. was the
rampant bird at that time. Since then
Germany has destroyed two American
ships. the Frye and Gulflight, with loss
OF life, and has sunk merchant ships of
other nations carrying American citizens,
one Of whom lost his life without suft-
cient warning TO save himself.
And now the Lusitania. More than
100 Americans. men, women and children
murdered on an unarmed passenger ship.
carrying among other articles OF
freight a consignment of war munitions,
as the ships of the nations have always
done in war time under international
law.
What is To be done about this. Mr.
Editor? Is il not case of something
more than protests, or even vigorous
notes." Rather should there not be de-
mand for instant and full reparationc
Ard failing in this. as is probable. is it
not the bounden duty OF this nation to
sever all diplomatic relations with Ger
many and betakc itself to the building
of torpedo boats and destroyers to be
sent to hunt. to the bitter end. the per-
iscopes of an arch enemy
hnr rnrlr 10 he hall .,F,
citizens OF this country that the time has
come for the United States to declare
war against Germany and help the
nations rid the word OF r monster who
calls on God to witness his divine right
to kill unarmed men and helpless women
and children in cold blood.
IL the riddance OF this Hohenzollern
creature could be made. there would be
rejoicing among the peoples of the earth
similar to that by the inhabitants of the
provinces and countries OF Europe under
sway of the Roman Empire when they
learned that Nero was no more.
And IL IL more than probable that the
greater number of the people of Ger
many themselves. apart from the Prus-
sian oligarchy. would gratefully rejoice
at their relief. II. II. Scale.
Would Prepare for War.
Editor of The Washington Herald:
What action ought the United States to
take in view of the killing of American
citizens in the sinking of the Lusitania
and other offenses against US? II We
desired war We could cite far graver
provocations than have often been made
to serve as occasions for q resort to
arms. But even IL We were In a state
of thorough preparation for war; It
would behoove US under present crcum-
stances to consider well how vast are the
human interests virtually confided to our
keeping as a result of our raphical
position. our national character, our
power-colossal. even IL mainly latent
now-and our enjoyment Of peace In the
midst Of the worlds mad orgy of bel
ligerency. On our 100000 square miles
Of territory We can save much OF civil
isation from the general wreck with
which It Is threatened. We can protect
from destruction much Of the material
equipment necessary to its continuance