Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-05-15

sue rests with Germany and not with
the United States. The alternative is
clearly set forth.
Boston Globe: President Wilson has
not shirked grave responsibility. The
American note clearly shows that Ger
many must relent or take whatever con-
sequences we may decide to adopt.
Boston Herald: President Wilson has
never written great state paper more
exactly suited to the occasion. We hope
most fervently that in a spirit Of reson-
ableness Germany will coincide with the
enlightened position set forth with clar-
ity and power by the President.
Boston Journal: President Wilson's
words are those of a patriot. We can
not believe that a nation which is
bound by so many ties Of friendship
to this nation is SO far possessed by
war madness that she will fail to
heed the message. s-t
Boston Post: The note is all that
such a message from justly aggriev-
ed nation to the aggressor nation
should be. In it is the voice Of the
American people at its finest and
best A powerful appeal to German
sanity.
Philadelphia Public Ledger: The ad-
ministration has spoken and spoken
to the point. The German govern
ment cannot have the slightest doubt
as to its meaning. Will Germany lis
ten to the voice Of prudence before
it is too late.
Philadelphia Inquirer: We have not
always agreed with the President Of
the United States but when it comes
to question of the nations honor,
the President must be upheld The
note is written deliberately and cool
ly There is not a word spoken in
haste.
Philadelphia Record: The note
puts the German government square
" in the position of choosing whether
it will obey the dictates of conscience,
reason and humanity, and retain the
friendship of the United States or ac-
cept the stigma of an outlaw nation
and deliberately provoke new quar-
rel. There can be no installing the
concluding paragraph Of the American
note.
Manchester On. HI Union: The
United States could not have demand
ed less than it does in it's message.
We may hope that Germany will
come TO her senses. admit the gravity
! of her offense and give guarantees
against its repetition but If such shall
not be the case. President Wilson's
temperate declaration Of our national
purpose must be backed up if it
costs, for every American life already
sacrificed. thousand more of Ameri-
cas- best manhood: and for each dol
lar lost in the sinking Of the Lus-
tania. a million more in treasure.
Springfield, tMass.) Union: Nobody,
not even the most punctillious German
sympatnizer. can assert that this note
is Incorporate. granted that its prem
ises and logic are sound, and we do
not see how they can be controverted.
Portland tMaine) Press President
Wilson has taken bold position. 1t
behooves use to have full confidence in
the President and be prepared to give
him the support he has a right to ex-
! pect.
/ Portland tMaine) Argus: The note
/ Will have the unqualified approval OF
| the American people The whole ma
! ton will be with him Che P-esident)
| whatever eventuality may arise.
New Yorker Stats Zeitung: While
! the Stats Zeitung makes no ediruria
comment on President Wilson's note
! today it has the following to say
printed in English:
Nor is this time to burden mil
lions of the American people with un-
! just and unnecessary anguish of mind
! The German-Americans must suffer in
any conflict between the United States
7 ana Germany. pains Of which their
fellow citizens can never know any
, thing. 1t is rather a time for show
ing the greatest degree of consider
! alton. They have fought to uphold the
/ flag in the past and they will do SC
against any enemy whatsoever. They
/ deserve the fruits of past loyalty, un-
I I'LL they have forfeited the right tc
claim them. There has never been but
/ one flag under which the German.
! American has fought. There never car
| he but one flag under which he will
( ever fight And that flag is the Stars
and Stripes"
. <hpNCiPoSl- We 10 uO-
remember ever having written an ar
| tlcle with hevier heart. While we COM
/ pose it we are under pressure Of the
most cruel situation which an Ameri-
can citizen of German extraction ma
have to face. That which has alway.
! appeared to US not only as the most
/ direct calamity that could befall US.
/ but also the most heinous crime that
/ could be committed against civiliza :
ton. has apparently at least become a
/ posslblllty--a war between two coun J..
tries dearest and nearest to GU.
/ hearts. On one side there is no
sentiment more natural and more
i beautiful than the loving attachment
to the country where our cradle stood
On the other side we are
/ American citizens who under all con-
ditions have to conserve their loyalty
! to the great country of their adop
ton. We can only express
the most ardent hope that the Ger
man government, while fully conserv-
/ ing its legitimate rights, may yet find
il its answer the tone that will spare
/ US the worst.
Boston Christian Science Monitor:
There is probably no body of opinion,
| in the United States, which will be