Middletown transcript., 1915-05-22
,IDDLETOwH, Dl j., NAY ~, 1915
WILSON'S MESSAGE

was called forth by the astounding
brutality of the sinking of the Lusi-
tania with the loss of 115 Americans
and 1895 others,) is an able paper which
well sustains the best traditions of |
American craftsmanship.
Despite some meaningless, because |
absurdly unmerited, compliments to
Germany, it flies straight to the mark, |
and in strong. manly fashion asserts |
the rights of our citizens to travel un-
mole sted upon the high seas, whether in
our own or in foreign bottoms.
To quote the plain and forcible Ian
guage of the message,
American citizens act within their
indisputable rights in taking their ships
and in travelling wherever their legiti-
mate business calls them upon the high
seas, and exercise those rights in what
should be the well-justified confidence
that their lives will not be endangered
by acts done in clear violation of uni
versally acknoW Wledged international
obligations, and certainly in the conf
dence that their own government will
sustain them in the exercise of their
rights"
The President denies Germany's
right to establish her so-called "war
zone" from which neutral ships at
their peril must keep away. He says:
'"This government has already
taken occasion to inform the imper-
ial German government that it can
not admit thb adoption of such
measures or such a warning of
danger to operate as in any degree
an abbreviation of the rights of
AmericOn shipmasters or of Ameri-
can citizens hound on lawful err
rands as passengers on merchant
ships of belligerent nationality; and
that it must hold the imperial Ger
man government to stIict accoun-
liability for any infringement of
those rights, Intentional or inciden-
tai"
The President also takes square issue
with Germanys impudent, brutal claim
of right to sink with the submarine
torpedo passenger ships, without warn
ing or without means to rescue those
on board.
Therefore, since the usual search
and steps to save lives of passengers
and crew cannot be taken by submar-
ines as in ordinary prize captures, the
President tells Germany these inhuman
instruments 'cannot be used against
merchantmen, hs the few last weeks
have shown, without an inevitable vio-
lation of many sacred principles of JUS
tice and humanity"
Again. the President bluntly tells
Germany that her published warning
to Americans not to sail in the Lusi-
tania affords rot the slightest excuse
or palliation- mo warning that an un-
lawful and inhumane act will be COM
mitted can possibly be accepted an an
excuse or palliation for that act or as an
abatement of the responsibility for its
commission. "
Again, the President Expects there.
fore that the Imperial German govern,
ment will disavow the acts of which
the governme Int of the United States
complains, that they will make repara
tion so far as reparation is possible fol
injuries which are without measure, ant
that they will take immediate steps tt
prevent the recurrence of anything 81
obviously subversive of the princi
pies of warfare for which the imperia
German government have in the pas
so wisely and so firmly contended."
After declaring that Expressions o
regret and offers of reparation in case
of the destruction of neutral ships b,
mistake viii le they may satisfy in
ternational obligations, if no loss o
life has resulted, cannot justify or ex
cuse practice the natural and nece
sary OBJECT OF which is to subject neu
tral nations and neutral persons to neV
and immeasurabie risks" the Presiden
concludes with tie words, "The Germa
Government will not expect the Gov
ernment of the United States to omi
any word or act necessary to the pei
formance of its sacred duty of mair
tanning the right of the United State
and its citizens, and of its safeguardin
their free exercise and enjoyment.
The President plainly, boldly declare
for the just rights of our country and {
its citizens, and the whole country, t
gether with a united Press is applaut
ing his words to the echo, and unitedl