The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1915-07-27
THE FUTURE FOR THE KAISER.

In the note of President Wilson to Germany
there is but one demand. It is that the freedom
Of the seas be not contravened in defiance OF
international law. that Germany in its submarine
warfare do no illegal act which would result in
the death of Americans travelling on merchant
vessels whose commanders adhere to the pIln-
ciples Of international law. This demand puts
the future relations between Germany and the
United States entirely within the keeping OF
Germany. 1t is for the Imperial German Gov
eminent to say whether it will agree to abide
by the law Of nations or whether by another
violation of that law it will announce to the
government of this country that it has decided
to be deliberately unfriendly." That position
it will take if there is a recurrence Of attacks
on the seas in contravention Of the rights of
American citizens.
President Wilson in his notes to Germany in
which he has insisted that there be maintained
the freedom of the high seas has asked for
nothing but that Germany obey the law of
nations, that it cease to create q law to suit
itself in a belligerent act of retaliation. The
notice which this country gives to Germany it
gives to all. that it will contend for the free
dom of the seas without compromise and at
any cost"
The issue is made up. If Germany elects to
DO the overt act in contravention Of the rights
of Americans then it invites a break with this
country, and in SO doing it invites a break with
all neutral nations, for in this matter the cause
of one neutral is the cause of all. There can
be no demurrer entered by Germany that it
cannot conduct submarine warfare without in
humanity, for since the needless destruction OF
human lives in the sinking Of the Lusitania it
has made submarine attacks in conformity with
the law of nations. 1t is asked to continue on
that course. It's refusal will show that it cares
nothing for international law or humanity.
The one demand made in the note of the
President to Germany is that German naval
commanders must not take action which would
result in the death Of American citizens who
have the right to travel on the seas in American
or other ships not war vessels. If Germany
stop sinking such unresisting ships upon which
Americans are travelling there will be no break
in the relations between the two countries.
Agreement to this demand is an easy matter for
Germany, since in it's last note it admitted this
principle and offered to carry it out with GER
tain stipulations. If Germany could carry out
what it offered it can. with perfect national con-
| sistency, quit sinking merchant ships without
giving on-combatants an opportunity to escape
with their lives. This is all that is asked by
this country, and Germany can grant it without
abandoning its submarine warfare.
There is no threat in the note Of President
Wilson, no suggestion Of a threat. 1t is written
in such a spirit and in such terms that it should
make an acceptance by Germany easy. It is our
hope, it is our belief, that Germany will see
the matter in such a light that it will end a
warfare against neutrals and on-combatants
If it stops such warfare then friendly relations
between it and the United States will be un-
broken. 1t is for Germany to say. President
Wilson has cleared the way.