Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1915-06-15
President Wilson'S Reply.

to Germany fails to disclose any
war cry which would occasion the
most devoted paci6st to refuse to
subscribe to its sentiments. It is a
clear exposition of facts and a dis
cussion of the questions raised by
the German note of May %.
In friendly tone it reiterates the
representations in the first note of
May 10Th and asks the pledge from
the German government that the
lives of on-combatants shall not be
put in jeopardy.
It is difficult to understand how
logically any exception could be
taken because of the considerate
wording and the courteous method
of presenting the matter. IF it
does not preclude the possibility OF
war, it certainly does not in itself
bring war any closer.
The note is really less bellicose
than might have been expected
from the resignation of Mr.. Bryan
on the eve of its transmission, caus-
ing a sensation quite if not wholly
spectacular in appearance. If the
methods as pursued by Mr.. Wilson
in this correspondence are to be
feared as prejudicial to the peace
and well-being of the nation, it is
hard to understand just what form
of procedure would follow Mr..
Bryan's ideas.
Had there been any precipate or
even subtle expression of warlike in
tentions in the diplomatic cores
pondence or actions on the part of
this government, the protests of 4
cabinet officer, as made. might have
been viewed with profound and NOV
ing concern by the people. But in
a case of as deliberate consideration
as has characterized the presidents
actions in the extremely delicate
situation which has arisen, even the
most pronounced opposing views
could have been justified for having
given way to those of the chief
magistrate, supported as he is in
the matter by the entire people.
The reply has, while firmly insist
ing on the attitude of this govern
ment taken in its first note as to
safety of noncombatants, in it's YER
biage less if anything in presenta-
ton that would be provocative of
Germany's resistance or resentment
than the former note, which was a
model of friendly expression.
The language of both notes by
President Wilson has gone to the
extreme in delicacy of statement
and appeal to permit replies to be
made out of a recognition of that
large, broad sense of justice, inner
ent in all governments to a greater
or less degree and fundamental to
all rights, that urges yielding if
wrong, not because one is asked to
by an opponent, but because the
greatest voice of all voices urge it
the voice of conscience, preceding
from within the one responding to it.
The governments of nations can
be no more immune to that voice
than can an individual, without self
Indictment for perversity or possibly
concealed purpose.
The reply does not disclose the
spirit of an ultimatum. This is in
stanced in adverting to Germany's
claim that the Lusitania was an
armed vessel by inviting that gov
eminent, if it feels itself in posses
sion of convincing evidence to that
end, to present it to this govern
ment.
At this stage of the proceedings
the matter could scarcely have been
handled more skilfully than is i'm
piled in the note and is open to
little, if any criticism. Most as
suredly the people of the United
States do not want war with any
nation or nations and it is difficult
to see how Mr.. Bryan or anyone
else can gain Roadway in raising an
issue on this point.
The nations of the world appre-
ciate undoubtedly, the popular SEN
timent against war in the United
States, but they likewise are fully
advised as to its understanding of
its strength and courage to main
tain fairly, firmly and justly what
it believes to be its fundamental
rights, without having its attitude
misunderstood by unnecessary irri-
tation to a disputant in the methods
of their presentation. Milwaukee
News.
Bryan3 Career Told In Short