Evening journal., 1915-06-07
JUSTIFY SINKING
OF The LUS|TANA
Prof. Kirchway Says Some
Experts Regard Germany
Legally Right
PEACE MEETING AT
CHAUTAUQUA TENT

That some authorities on interna-
tional law think that Germany |
has a legal case and was iusti
fed in sinking the Lusitania was |
the assertion made yesterday OF |
Professor George A. Kirchway of the |
department of law at Columbia Uni !
versity, speaking TO several hundred !
persons in the Chautauqua tent at /,
Delaware avenue and Union street, on |
the theme: America and the War"
The meeting was under the auspices of
the Delaware Peace Society
Professor Kirchway pointed out
that several BIC lawyers technically
Justify Germanys action under one
point of international law. but he said
he considered the Lusitania affair an
/ outrage against all moral and inter-
national law.
"The line between nations" declar-
ed Professor Kirchway "is only arti-
| fetal. The web cannot be torn any
where without iniuring il everywhere.
/ The belligerent makes war on the
whole earth Germany argues with
regard 10 the Lusitania that they had
a perfect right to destroy the ship
carrying munitions of war TO their
enemy. Then she says to the United
! States: Why do you go aboard Brit
ish ships when by virtue of interna-
| tional war, we have a right to destroy
those ships. All we ask of you is to
sail under the American fiag.'
"On the face Of that statement 1t
sounds reasonable said the speaker.
With regard 20 Germany's right to
/ destroy Belgium, the speaker pointed
out that Belgium was a buffer state. a
defense between Germany and France
but she was neutral in a legal sense.
1t was shown that any considerable
J war involves us all He added: 1--WE
are in the war without as being yet
az war. Which shall give way TO the
other, belliserent rights or neutral
rights. We are asked If we will sub
NIT TO the throttling of international
commerce or take part In the war
What are we to do about it?" II was
explained that the way of war Is de-
feat-that II defeats the object for
q which il strives. II was shown that
we are in a very delicate position with
5 regard to the Lusitania matter. We
do not wish the German admiralty
to dictate our policy. but we do not
want to go 10 war about it. The
3 destruction Of life by the German
submarine was a dreadful outrage.
hut It would he a greater outrage for
the United States to go to war over
. It and increase the bloody carnage.
He said there was never a time when
g il was incumbent for the President
j and members of the cabinet to re-
s member the claims of the belliger-
k ents. He said: Germany has per-
e fectiy legal case This is not a time
" for us To be upright or downright. We
N must deal with Germany as we should
n expect or desire to be treated
c Speaking on the subject "Our Mill
IS tary Preparedness for War;" Prof
Kirchway said:
c us there any nation that Is abso-
70 lutely prepared for war? Will any
.. one say that Germany is prepared tc
D. withstand all the foes with whom she
n is at war? Germany had reason to bt
prepared, with the long Balkan situa
ton on one hand and France on the
other hand longing for her lost posses
sions. This country on the other hanC
has no pressing reason for being arm
\ ed / suppose there has never been Z
/, time since the forefathers landed OF
Plymouth Rock when we were so fire,
from enemies as at the present" 1
n was pointed out that every war il
n which we have ever been engaged hat
S been Of our own making. He said
i- mo country has ever sought L
= wage warfare on us. Those who arr
l. clamoring for increased army an,
r navy are panic stricken. The grea
e lesson TO be learned from this wa
l. is to stamp the word lie on th'
n familiar saying that the way to peac
d IS to be prepared for war" He point
k ed out most emphatically that W
e should not allow ourselves to b
tricked into taking the first steps.
n George A. Rhoads presided Pre-
d. vious to the meeting some musica
ID numbers we're given by Mrs. Michitar
in Ongawa, soloist, with Miss GrantlanC
e. accompanist. Professor Jesse
" Holmes presided and made some an
le nouncements concerning the prograr
* for this week. Mrs. Ongawa sang
ie delightful solo, "The Lord is NJ
ce Light" Miss Grantland gave
piano solo. and Mrs Ongawa the
gave a second number.
Mr.. Rhoads. representing the Dels
ware Peace Society. made few brit
remarks before introducing the after
"A noon speaker He said that man
persons in this country are intereste
!" IN a hetter way Of settling interns
tional dificulties. Membership blank
n were passed around the audience. an
nt a large number Of new members weI
pc secured.
lg This afternoon DR. Holmes will d,
"a. liver a lecture on the subject, "rh
as Prophets to. Plain Folks and Luxur
he and Leisure The Hackett-Flore
e Trio will give concert at both II
a. afternoon and night session. DR..
on Parkes Cadman will lecture on. III
ed subject, "A Modern Babylon" Motto
or pictures will conclude the program
IS The popular attraction on Tuesda
will be Victor's Italian Band an
Venetian Troubadours.
~ GRANGE DISCUSSES BIRDS.
a Special 10 THE EVENING JOURNA
n MIDDLETOWN, Del. June Z.