The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-05-31
PACIFIC. But UNSATISFACTORY.

PACIFIC, But VNSATIStA1TOkA.
disappointment rather than surprise, viii be
the prevailing American view Of the German
reply to President wilson's note the sinking
or American ships. Not many thoughtful per-
! sons have believed that Germany would agree
to the conditions made in the note-certainly
! not readily. But It should be understood I'M
less we are greatly mistaken, that the Presi-
dents note contained the least that viii De
accepted. and was in no sense basis for nego-
tiations.
The new German note is more pacific in tone
than many had anticipated; that is to say. it is
I pacific towards America. but seeks at every turn
10 place responsibility on the Cunard Company
and the British government for friction between
this country and Germany. Both of these have
their responsibility. which. however. by no
means relieves Germany or affects the merits Of
our complaint against her attacks on American
ships and the danger to American lives from at
lacks on merchant vessels OF other nations
III Had the attack on the Nebraskan, now pro-
nOunced by an official inquiry to have been
made by a submarine. not been MADE, 1t is
probable that final American action would have
been willing to wait on further exchange Oh
notes, although without intending in the least
to recede from the position laid down in our
previous messages. Now, however. as it appears
Germany still pays no regard to neutral rights
on the high seas. there need be no surprise
II our State Department demands a guarantee
III complete suspension Of submarine operations
before proceeding one step further with the
matter.
30 far as the Iusitania incident Is concerned
It impugns the good faith of this government
4 20 suggest that without proper understanding
Or the facts we should have dispatched note
such as that to which reply is being made by
Germany. And the whole note seems to ignore
the fundamental contention of the United States,
that no power-Germany, England France. Tur-
key-has a right inherent or implied. TO en-.
danger the lives OF American citizens in the
prosecution of their legitimate business any
where in the world. We have not contended
that Germany did not have a right to sink the
Lusitania, but that she had no right to sink,
attack or injure her without providing ade-
quafeIy for the safety Of her passengers
fActs be established. the sinking of the vessel
was justihable implies Germany's inherent right
10 kill American citizens. That constitutes the
har over which we cannot pass The desire TO
know whether the Lusitana was properly
equipped against accident practically admits that
the German government ordered the sinking of
he vessel knowing she carried American pas
6engers, but because Germany thought the yes
81 would not sink before they could be gotten
SnN, Germany should not be held responsible.
sEnch an admission is a confession of guilt and
necessitates complete compliance with the Presi-
dents demands or confession of outlawry as
the future standard OF conduct for Germany
The concluding paragraph Of the German note
- cleveriy worded: II doubtless occupied more
kime and thought than all the rest combined
ut II contains the key to the note. 1t is a plain
s1n&imation that Germany desires America to
|nExin intervene to secure free food supplies for
B1ker. the logical conclusion being that our sue
Snoa& or failure in that enterprise would deter
aNn1ne Germanys confession OF guilt or protes-
1m<ton of innocence in regard 20 the Lusitania.
Axres to any such Interpretation. What we
6Wculd perform as good Office as between
INC hostile powers and what we would do when
s~ne Of those powers has committed an act little
lOxt OF an act Of war against us are entirely
R1IResent matters
10 sum 1t up--Germany does practically moth
|l1E and it ID our move What win that move