The Washington times., 1915-05-31
THE GERMAN REPLY

Germany's reply to the American
note is here. 1t is practically what
every thinking man expected it
would be. 1t is clear, and unmis-
taxable in its meaning.
1t is gracious, diplomatic, but
businesslike to the core. 1t plainly
says that Germany has big piece
of work on her hands and that she
has squared herself to that work;
that her plans and policies have
been formed with care and deliber-
alton, and that she will hew to the
line Of these policies.
Germany says little more in re-
sponse to the American note than
she had voluntarily said in the
earlier communication through Am
bassador Gerard. Much of this re-
ply is devoted to an attack on Great
Britain, which she holds responsible
for the submarine warfare of Ger
many, and for the loss of British
ships and passengers thereon.
This phase Of the reply, directing
Its fire on Great Britain, is elusive
and largely irrelevant. AS an an
swer to the American note it is no
answer at all. 1t focuses attention
on Great Britain to relieve itself of
frank answer to Mr.. Wilson's i'm
piled if not actual demands.
And in its reply concerning the
destruction Of neutral ships it again
lays the responsibility on Great
Britain and on the masters of these
ships. It says:
II neutral ships In recent months
have suffered through the German sub
marine warfare. owing to mistakes In
Identification. 1t Is a question only Of
quite isolated and exceptional cases,
which can be attributed to the British
governments abuse of flags. together
with the suspicious or culpable behav-
ior Of the masters Of the ships
In this part of Germany's reply,
the charges of suspicious or cul-
pable behavior" on the part of officers
Of neutral ships-and this means, in
the case Of American ships, "suspi-
cious or culpable behavior" on the
part Of American masters of those
ships-America may find just cause
for disappointment and irritation. 1t
is the most significant phrase in the
whole document, which shows clearly
the firm spirit Of Germany and like
wise ingeniously injects into the stu
ation ample ground for diplomatic
discussion as to the behavior of the
masters Of American vessels.
And every point in our note to
Germany and in Germany's note to
US that makes possible lingering
diplomatic discussions, gives Ger
many just so much time; and time
is the thing the imperial government
wants, more than anything else
time to continue her submarine bar
barities.
Germany's reply to our note does
not mean that America will speedily
find itself at war with Germany
There Is no occasion for any such
conclusion. The message rs a whole
Is in no sense surprise. There is
no more occasion for regarding our,
selves as perilously near war, now
that we have Germany's answer
than there has been at any timt
since our note went to Berlin.
With some Administrations, ou,
note would have meant a good dea
more than it said on the face of it
with the present Administrator i
meant the widest scope for discus
sion, reasoning, and diplomatic hand
ling, with the purpose of exhaustin,
every known means to avoid breal
with Germany, to avoid war. An,
the response Of the American peopl
to Mr.. Wilson's note clearly shove,
that he has accurately interprete,
the American spirit.
ONE THING AT A TIME