Evening journal., 1915-07-12
MONDAY JULY II. 1915
crRMANY,s UNSATISFACTORY REPLY.

CERNiANY'S reply to the note sent by President
~ Wilson following the destruction Of the Cunard
line steamship Lusania and the heartless staying OF
than 100 American citizens is not satisfactory to
he American people is it likely TO meet with
'avor Of tho American government
It not only to justify the sinking Of the big
liner, but also the killing, manning and drowning of
he men, women and children who we're aboard her
when, without warning. she torpedoed by Ger
submarine. Germany seeks 10 put the blame for
hat ooldblooded piece of business upon alleged pre-
yous acts OF Great Britain and her allies. The reply
says:
"The Of the Lusitana shows with horrible clear
to what ieopardizing Of human lives the manner
of conducting war-employed by adversaries leads
In the most direct contradiction Of international law
all distinctions between merchantmen and vessels
have obliterated by the order to British merchant
men to arm themselves and submarines and the
promise Of rewards therefor and neutrals who
merchantmen travellers thereby have been exposed
n an increasing degree TO all the dangers Of war
"If the commander of the German submarine which
destroyed the Lusania had caused the crew and pas
sengers TO take to the boats before firing torpedo
this would have meant the destruction Of his own
vessel After the experiences in king much smaller
and less seaworthy vessels It be expected that
mighty ship like the Lusitania would remain above
water long enough after the torpedoing to per-
rnit the passengers 10 enter the ships Circum
on board OF large quantities of highly explosive
erials disspaed this expectation In addition 1t may
be pointed out that II the Lusania had been spared
thousands Of cases of munitions would have been sent
to Germany's enemies and thereby thousands of Ger
man mothers and children robbed Of bread-winners."
There is not much of a comforting nature In that for
the relatives Of the Lustania victims or for President
Wilson and the American people Nor can Americans
overlook the defiant attitude Of Germany in the follow
ing declaration
In particular the Imperial Government Is unable to
admit that American citizens can protect enemy ship
through the mere fact Of their presence on board.
Germany followed England's example when she de-
clared part Of the high Of war. Conse-
quently. accidents suffered by neutras enemy ships
IN this erea of cannot well be Judged differently
from accidents to which neutrals are at all times
posed at the seat Of land when they hetake
themselves into dangerous localities spite Of previous
warnings II however IL should not be possible for the
American Government 10 acquire adequate number
Of neutral passenger steamers the Imperial Govern
is prepared to inerpose objections TO the pac
ing under tho American flag by the American
ment four enemy passenger steamers for passenger
traffic between North America and England Assur-
Of free and safe passage for American passen
gers steamers would apply under the ident-
cal pro-conditons those formerly hostile passenger
steamers"
In short. It is German rebuff for the United States
and plain bid for woHd sympathy through dstor-
ton Of facts that in instances laughabe For n
Vstance the
Even at the beginning of the present the Ger
man Government Immediately declared its willingness
in response to proposals of the American Government
to ratfy the Declaration Of London and thereby sub
jec itself in the use of its TO all the
strictions provided therein in favor Of neutrals
'-5ermsny likewise has been always tenacious Of the
principle that war should be conducted against the
armed and organized forces Of an enemy country hut
that the enemy civilian population must be spared as
sar as possible from the measures OF war.
The Imperial Government cherishes the definite
hope that some way will ta found when peace is co1-
cuded o. perhaps earlier to regulate the law Of mari
time in a manner guaranteeing the freedom Of the
sees, and will welcome it with gratitude and satiafac
ton If it can work hand in hand with the American
Government on that occasion"
In view Of the outrageous excesses Of Germany in
Belgium and the high seas, II is mockery for the
German Government TO send such message as that to
he American Government ana the American people
II the reply means anything at all Il is that Ger
many has no excuses to OFFER for the murder done on
ne Lusitana; that she viii continue her submarine
warfare; that II Americans sail British French
Russian or Italian merchant ships they do at their
own risk and that the United States desires protect
its citizens il must operate American line of pas
senger steamships.
The so-called reply is evasiye and hsnoere In Ger
an OF its it borders upon impudence
with a slight coating of diplomatic veneer. There il
about the document lack OF frankness that should
nave the effect Of leading President Wilson to senc
another and a sh ,rper note with broad ntimatior
that in the present instance artful lodging VIII not
avail the Imperial German Government Viewed in