New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-27

eminent, American tourists might log
ically witness sea battles and demand
their cessation If their interest palled
or the noise annoyed them, and that
inspect the battleships-bu only the
German yessels-during the conflict.
Hope Is Held Out.
Herr Zimmerman declares that Ger
many must readjust itself 10 the dlfil-
cult negotiations. and that, even though
there be marked change for the worse
in the relations with America, Ger
many will not cease its honorable ef-
forts. through the most searching ex-
animation of the American proposals,
to come to an understanding.
ain these columns" the writer says,
at has always been maintained that
we should show a comprehension of our
position. America has done that theo-
retically by admitting the novelty of
hostile relations at sea: but. while the
German government has met the Amer
lean viewpoint with practical and cas-
lily adaptable proposition, the Ameri-
can government so far has scorned the
practical path. We hope for the sake
OF both parties that America still will
find it"
There is no reason for trying to
discover perfume among the thorns in
the American note TO console ourselves.
The American government demands
that its citizens travel in safety in
wartime where and when they please.
If they sit on a powder cask any one
lighting a cigar in their vicinity would
be guilty of an unfriendly act. Presi-
dent Wilson's standpoint is uncondi-
tionallv opposed to reasonable rights
and lawful reason.
American Policy Ridiculed.
1--WE understand perfectly that every
neutral state should endeavor to pre-
serve the personal freedom of its citi-
zens, but we cannot understand a pol
icy which saws to one beillgerent power
that the war does not concern us,
while at the same time furnishing war
material to another power in order to
/ derive the greatest possible profits.
"Germany's unanimous opinion is
that it cannot accept an American
thesis which offends the spirit Of equal
ity in the meaning of neutrality.
I'VE are not so slavishly unfree in
our thinking as Americans are told.
We believe that Mr.. Wilson essentially
/ Is HoJ lIets ana lHhL MS lUedS OF Nu-
manity and neutrality are not volun-
tarly in accord with the interests of
his electors. Especially those of us
who have not forgotten even in this
war that Anticipated views and arrange
ments must be overcome have laid
great store by the friendship of the
American democracy. but we see with
regret that President Wilson. though
| d Democrat, advances the interests less
of peaceable democracy than those of
gain-hungry plutocracy.
we have an urgent desire TO have
the rules of humanity observed as far
as possible and to use all means to
rescue and give protection to sea trav-
ellers. but there must be a practical
means to this humane purpose. 1t is
not humane instead. it is a misuse of
this noble word when il is exacted
that protection of life must serve as
protection for an enemy attack or for
trade in ammunition"
Submarines Like Mines.
Jacob Frank. a well-known iurist,
discusses in the "Vossische Zeitune"
submarine warfare from a legal stand
point. He maintains that the United
States no more has a right TO protest
against the sinking of the Lusitania
by weapon not yet regulated by in
ternational law than by mines which
Germany had right to lay in the path
of the vessel.
The Socialist "Vorwaerts" is the only
| Berlin newspaper not commenting on
the note. 1t prints a brief summary
of what its contemporaries have said
but publishes no opinion of its own.
The comment of the principal provin-
cial newspapers agrees with that of
the Berlin press-that the American
note is entirely unsatisfactory and
leaves Germany no alternative except
to continue her submarine warfare
against hostile commerce regardless of
consequences, unless Great Britain
as a result of the forthcoming note
from Washington, sees fit to change her
! Illegal blockade policy
The "Koelnische Zeitung." after re-
viewing the various steps in the nego-
tlations, says:
"The German and American stand
points at the end are as far apart as
at the beginning, and an understand
ing is utterly impossible on the basis
offered by the United States.
Urges No Naturalization.
Germany will neither disavow the
sinking of the Lusltania nor offer in
Identification for the lives of the reck-
less Americans who persisted on the
steamer. Germany will continue her
submarine warfare in the same man
ner as in the past two months. She
will continue TO show consideration
toward American ships and passengers,
and will hope. naturally, that develop
ments will not lead to a sharpening OF
relations with the United States"
The "Frankfurter Zeitung" also
holds that Germany cannot make disa-
vowal Of, or give compensation for, the
sinking of the Lusitania. The reasons.
as set forth are: First. because it
would shift the blame to the shoulders
Of the brave officer who acted accord
ing to orders. and, second. because
payment of compensation would be
msinterpreted as recognition that
Germany was in the wrong"
The concluding phrase of the Amer
lean note is described as IAN earnest
declaration whose significance and pos
sibe consequence are not open 70
doubt, but which cannot terrify US
The newspaper continues:
Germany cannot afford TO abandon
her submarine warfare because OF
threats, and, if President Wilson per.
sists in his dogmatic views, the world
must bear the consequences"
The "Frankfurter Zeitung, how
ever, says that the last word has not
been spoken, and expresses the hope
that il is still possible 10 reach an un-
Outstanding.