New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-22
The End of Words.

since the American cltlZenS on 'il0 i1"''
+apia were murdered by German officers
and men. The crime itself was one OF the
most unparalleled acts Of brutality Oh
which history has any record.
Now for the third time the Government
Of the United States is 70 dispatch note
70 Germany asking the Imperial Govern
wont n make PREPARATION for foul muir
der and give assurance that hence1orth
American citizens may sail the seas IN
safety. when complying with international
law.
To two previous requests of precisely
the same character the German Govern
ment has replied with words which were
unresponsive. irrelevant, destitute alike OF
frankness and sincerity. To the question:
the all important question Of the future
il has replied only by suggesting con-
ditions. asserting the right and the deter
noination to enforce by murder Its pur-
nose to curtail the liberties Of American.
citizens. !. =,
In the whole history of international
relations there is no record OF patience
forbearance, endurance to equal tha'
shown bv the United States IN recent
weeks. More than this, if there were the
smallest prospect Of benefit to humanity
nv prolongation of the exchange oil
words it is certain that the American
natience would be adequate for turther
trial.
But there is no such prospect. The note
that now goes forth is the last sacrlhce
Of great nation to the cause OF interna-
tional amitv and pacific relations. When
II has gone American resources LOT con-
citation are at an end. If the German
Government shall again refuse to meet the
;ssue AGAIN evade the question and seek
70 nut upon a free people the shackles Oh
;ts own purposes to bend us to Its alleged
necessities" then diplomacy is bankrupt
then the greatest good will any people
has ever shown another will have proved
without avail.
The message we are sending is not IN
any formal sense an ultimatum. II Is not
q nromise or a threat, whatever wise and
necessary warning it may convey. 1t does
not carry with it the implication Of that
communication the Imperial German Gov
eminent dispatched to Belgium a few
months ago. No implied or concealed doc
+rine of "terribloness" underlies the words
which are now addressed by the United
States to Germany.
But because the intent is pacific, the
tone friendly. can the message be msun-
derstood? viii the German Government
still insist upon its right to murder Amer
leans and abolish international right by
torpedo and rapid-fre gun? VIII the
German Foreign Office persist in the be-
lief that assassination can be endured II
the assassin preserves the face Of the law
abiding and the outward demeanor Of the
orderly?
Let none of us mistake the situation by
attaching to the new message too much
value. No words from the United States
Government can make or preserve peace
with Germany. No desire, hope, effort
can. reduced to writing, minimize or mod
crate a crisis created by bloodshed. The
situation for peace or war has passed be-
yond the diplomatic stage; it is beyond
the control Of the American people.
We shall not make war upon Germany
to vindicate our rights or avenge our
wrongs. We shall not appeal to arms to
assert what is ours to assert. All this,
our conduct, our relations with Germany
have demonstrated. But this is beside the
point. The future hinges on a wholly diff
ferent thing The future must be shaped
by German decision.
Does Germany mean to make war upon
us? The murder of American citizens
upon the Lusitania was an act Of war
The attack upon the Nebraskan was an
act of war only partially atoned for by
limited apology. The attack upon the
Orduna, bearing American citizens, was
an act of war. Wilful, deliberate, persis-
tent murder Of one nations citizens by an
other nation is war, even though no decla-
ration is made, no formal notice given, no
attention paid to the customary prelimi-
naries to conflict between powers hitherto
friendly.
Beyond all else President Wilson's mes
sage is q third and it must be believed
final. interrogation to Germany as to her
purpose. Are you, Germany, then, deter
mined to continue TO kin Americans sail
ing the seas in conformity with all the
conventions of civilized nations? This,
this alone, is the real burden Of the next
as of the preceding communications.
The answer cannot be made in words
alone. Words that are not proven by
acts. these cannot help. To speak us fair
and slaughter more women and children,
this IS but to persist in a war already
begun by act however disguised by word.