Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-05-14
WILSON'S NOTE FIRM
AND PATRIOTIC, SAY
LEADING MEN HERE
Charlemagne Tower De-
clares President "Has Re-
sponded to Sentiment Of
American People" in Let
ter to Germany.

Statements made at the request of the
EVENING LEpeBR today, by Philadel-
phlans Of prominence in government In
the churches and in the various profess
sions, agreed in declaring that the sig
niicant feature of President Wilson's
note to the Imperial German Govern
ment was It's 1rmness,
But this was in general qualified by the
praise of the restraint which the Chief
| Executive showed while censuring the
| violation of the practices Of civilized
| nations at war.
OF those connected with German or
| German-American institutions, who were
| asked TO state an opinion, not one was
| willing to comment on the Presidents
| note. The statements follow!
CHARLEMAGNB TOWER. former AM
bassador to Germany! The Presidents
language ia patriotic and he has re-
sponded to the sentiment Of the Ameri-
can people.
BISHOP SUFFRAGAN THOMAS W.
| GARLAND: I am delighted with the
Presidents note. 1 regard It as a very
strong note. 1T is precisely the kind of
action I expected him to take. and I
am very glad that he has done so. /
! CONGRESSMAN GEORGE p. BARROW:
The note cannot In any way be consid-
cred an ultimatum 1t looks to me as IL
II leaves the matter open for further dip
lomatlc correspondence. There are some
parts in 1t that seem very firm, partcu-
larly the last paragraph. matter of
this kind ought to be considered very
carefully before ono makes an express
sion, but this is the impression I have
received from reading the note over the
first time. In a general way feel that
the matter should be left to the Presl-
dent to handle, and 1 feel that he will
be able to adjust everything to the satls-
faction of the American people.
FRANCIS B. REEVES, chairman Board
of Directors, Girard National Bank
The Presidents note TO Germany is all
right-that is to say, It Is a clear, elo-
quont declaration of the principles of
tho people of the United StateN. 1t
might have been made much shorter
without lessening its power but let
words go. We are all one for the prInS
clples of good government. of citizen
ship. Christianity. morality, humanity.
Let US have peace, without shedding a
drop of blood II possible, but we must
do our duty even at the sacrifice of life
IL 1t becomes absolutely necessary. But
no power on earth has the right either
in war or peace to murder innocent
peaceful men. women and children as
was done in the destruction Of the Lusi-
tania.
THE REV. WILLIAM II. ROBERTS,
stated clerk of the General Assembly,
of the Presbyterian Church in the
United States: You may say for me
that I approve most heartily of the
firm and friendly note of President
Wilson to the Imperial German Gov
ernment I know that he means all
that he says
MAN HEINRICH, editor-in-chlef of the
German Daily Gazette. Refused TO
comment on President Wilson's note,
hanging up the telephone abruptly when
asked for his opinion,
HENRY BAINS, JR., president of the
German american Title and Trust Com
pany.-Had nothing to say regarding the
Presidents note to Germany.
DIR. CHARLES ]. HEXAMER, president
of the National German-American AL
liance.-Declined to discuss the Admin
istration's note.
CONGRESSMAN WILLIAM & VARr
l regard the Presidents communication
as good strong document, written with
dignity and frmpess He has rightfuly
asked Germany to cease its submarine
warfare against merchantmen. The
whole tone of his message Is courteous
yet emphatic. At such a crisis it is we'll
Tor the people to remain cool and bear
In mind the fact that the President is
acting for their individual interests, as
well as that OF the entire nation. He
should have the loyal support of all
American citizens.
JOHN FREDERICK LEWIS, authority
on admiralty law: I indorse all that
the President has said l think the
President has very fully represented
all that the United States Government
ought to assume and | hope that he
viii follow up what he has said by
appropriate action.
MAYOR BLANKENBURG: 1 have nnt
considered the Presidents note care
fuzzy enough as yet to express an
opinion.
SAMUEL r, BODINE, President United
Gas Improvement Company: The mes
sage is very strong and appropriate
CHARLES j. RHOADS, Governor Fed
eral Reserve Bank of Philadelphia: The
message Is very remarkable document
and left very favorable impression
with me-
l.. G. GRAFT. President Commercial Ex-
change-The message was splendid I
really cannot speak highly enough of
It, I don't see how It could be i'm
proved upon.
j, Il. BAUM, president. SuppIee- Biddle
Hardware Company: The Presidents s.
note Is very able and mastery pres
entation of the situation. The tone ia
hrm and conslderate. The President
takes into consideration that the Ger
man Government is laboring under tre-
mendous strain, and we all should con-
slider that condition when we endeayon
TO criticize them. think the President
has taken a course that will brInpI
satisfactorV PeaIIIta 'ei