The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-07-25

The German-American press Of the
country is divided in it's attitude toward
the Presidents note. Some are outspoken
in declaring its tone unfriendly. but sew
eral predict a peaceful outcome. Some
of the comments follow:
The Staats-Zeitung of New York
OF cutie particular significance is the en-
phasis on the fact that the United States
and Germany are striving for the same
object as tar as the freedom of the seas
Is concerned. The Washington govern
ment even goes a step further by asking
the German government to lend 1t its ac-
tive support IN the naturalization CT this
object, and the hope is expressed that
that wish voiced by Germany be realized
and that e-en before the end of the war
a practical result be attained.
And the note makes It clear. in frank.
curt words, that the government of the
United states is ready at any time to
play the part of the mediator with a
view to finding a practicable way out of
the present situation. Thus 1t Is evident
that our government. while il must re-
fuse as a matter of principle. to state in
the present case its attitude toward Eng
land, yet has realized that maintenance
of the one-sided position it has held thus
far is no longer possible.
Emphatic as is Its language. so far az
the Lusitania incident is concerned, the
American government now seems to be
equally as energetic in its intention to
protect the rights of neutrals against any
and every belligerent nation. The diplo-
matte note which was sent to Berlin yes
terday is meant at the same time fol
London,
The German Herald of New York
While Mr.. Wilson's note abounds In
,.,.s W. .
attitude in the rights of neutrals and
while it declares that repetition by the
commanders of German naval vessels Of
acts in cotravention OF those rights must
be regarded. by the government Of the
United States when thev affect Ameri-
can citizens as deliberately unfriendly,'
We are certain that the complications
will be settled amicably. Mr.. Wilson has
Yielded one important point.i He fails to
reiterate his demand that Germany
should give a definite promise regarding
the submarine war. Before that he had
yielded the strict accountability" postu-
late. In his first note after the declara-
ton of the war zone the President by US
ing this word intimated that the loss of
American lives would be followed by
grave events. The President has yielded
TO some extent, and SO will undoubtedly
Germany.
The Illinois Stnnts-Zeitung of Chi
cagO-We stated yesterday, before the
note to Germany was given to the pub
lie. that II appeared that a secret agree
ment between our Government and Eng
land existed, Intentionally to provoke
Germany and bring on breah in diplo-
matte relations. The note now publish
ed Justifies our statement. 1t is impos-
sible for Germany to stand for the tone
of the note and Germany will. though
We regret it. find but one answer-the
breaking of diplomatic relations.
The note shows that President Wilson
intends to bring on a break with
Germany at any price. Our great peace
apostle shows himself in his true light.
He should nevertheless ask us. the
American people. If we are satisfied with
the turn matters are taking and If we
are satisfied to be forced into war. The
latest note of the President is unworthy
of our republic and we hope Germany
will hold the American Government.
which is only temporary. responsible for
this tactics action. but not the Ameri-
can people, who are eternal.
The Cincinnati Freie Presse-The
idea of a demand upon a belligerent
Power to abandon certain method of
warfare which furnishes the only posi-
bility to force her opponent to his knees.
simply because such a method would en-
danger the lives of passengers who en-
ter the war zone upon enemy's ships,
has so far not occurred to any one. An
act of defense against a brutal enemy
can never be considered an unfriendly
act against a neutral State, certainly not
as a deliberate" unfriendly act.
The Volksblntt of Cincinnati-The
new note of the President is concilia-
tory in this respect, that 1t admits the
right to submarine warfare, but there
remains the uncomfortable incidents of
such warfare which are apt to arise