New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-24
Future Injury to U. S In
terests Will Be ActOfWar,
F. r. Coudert Ayers.
MORGAN J. O'BRIEN
COMMENDS WILSON
Former Berlin Professor Fears
Demand Will Cause Reaction
Against United States.

on the note to Germany last night
said:
"This seems to put an end to all pos
sibility of long-drawn-out and undignl-
fed lawyers quarrels between the two
nations. 1t is entirely clear that the
United States reaffirms its position
that Germany is acting entirely with
out the law and that such course Will
not be tolerated; that any future in
Jury to American interests will be tan
tamount to a hostile act, an act of war.
"This would seem to terminate the
correspondence in which the United
States has exercised the maximum Of
patience compatible with her dignity.
The government has now taken the
only position compatible with logic and
with its great position as champion OF
neutral rights, and the only great re-
naming neutral nation.
81 have no doubt this position, so
forcibly laid down by the President,
will be sustained by every American
worthy of the name, to whatever party
he NAV belong or of whatever racial
antecedents he may be. Adherence to
the policy that is so emphatically laid
down by the government will be most
excellent and severe criterion Of pat
riotism in this serious moment"
Good, Strong Note"
Morgan j. O'Brien, formerly presid-
ing justice of the Appellate Division
of the Supreme Court, when the sub
stance Of the note was communicated
to him at his summer home az Good
Ground, Long Island, last night said:
THAT is good, strong note, and
based on the principles which it does
not seem Germany now can fail to
recognize. The position Of our govern
ment is entirely in accord with inter-
national law. There would have been
no question about it if it had not been
for the introduction Of the submarine
method of warfare, but, after all, that
doesn't change the law or the principle
involved. In order TO do that it would
have to be by the custom or consent Of
all the nations. No one nation can
break the law or violate the principles
involved, where neutral interests are
concerned, without making itself re-
sponsible.
THE President has acted carefully
and in every way he could to avoid in
ternational complications, but there is
a breaking point, where the dignity and
honor Of the nation must be main
tanned. We have to remember that
there are legal and sacred rights which
cannot be violated with impunity.
Where the dignity and honor of the ma
ton are involved we have to stand by
the international law, and the position
which the President has taken in main
tanning 1t.
"Of course, we all hope that the Ger
man government will recognize now the
fact that, because of existing condi-
tons, which make it hard for her to
observe the comfy of nations and the
rights of neutrals, she cannot use such
a circumstance as an argument for
violating the laws. Everybody would
like TO see peace, but international law
should be recognized first, irrespective
of other and incidental considerations.
We al. should strongly support the
President in the stand he has taken"
Fears Berlin Reaction.
Professor Frederick Oechsner, for
merly of the University of Berlin, last
night made the following comment on
the note:
"From the viewpoint of a layman-
one not versed in the intricacies of in
ternational law-I should say the
American note may cause a reaction IN
German official circles which have been
zealou5ly anxious to maintain friendly
relations with this country. Germany,
| believe, cannot and will not cease her
submarine warfare as mapped out by
4. n A L., hot
the submarine warfare be effective, it
must be relentless. The American gov
eminent not only asks that it be modi-
fed, but that it should be eliminated if
Germany cannot guarantee the safety
of neutrals aboard hostile ships.
81 do not presume to prophesy the
tenor of the German answer. That is
a thing too difficult to undertake. But
| believe that G ,rmany will not deviate
an iota from the course adopted in
her submarine activities in the war
zone, unless Great Britain at the same
time makes some concessions in her ad-
mttedly illegal blockade against Ger
many's legitimate oversee commerce
with neutrals
while | would not want to say that
crisis has been reached, | feel the
situation IS extremely grave and too
delicate for hasty or muddl,ng infer
ences."
Blames England, Too.
George Sylvester Viereck, editor Of
"The Fatherland," expressed himself
as pleasantly disappointed" yesterday
that the American note TO Germany did
not justify the forecasts which had
been made.
IF President Wilson has sent a sim
liar note to Great Britain the note to
Germany is justified and appropriate, "
Mr. Viereck said "If, on the other
hand, the note has been sent to Ger
many alone, il seems to me 10 be an in
famous diplomatic blunder.
England depends upon the United
States far more than Germany does.
And yet Germany has even now been
willing to meet US more than half way,
while England has stubbornly refused
to meet our justified demands"
Paul Fuller said: Nothing can be
more distinct than the imputation of
that note, that if Germany does not
formally and aftirmatively accept the
principles laid down in it, and refrain
from deliberately unfriendly' acts, she
will have to accept the consequences
of being an outlaw among nations"
Strong Statement of u. S.