Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-07-24
Deeds and Not Words
Wanted by Washing
ton From Kaiser; An
swer Unnecessary.
Berlin Must Decide to Grant or
Refuse Demands for Safety
of Neutrals on High Seas.
No Middle Course Open.
Firm Tone of Reply Pleases Officials
and People-Government Ready to
Enforce International Law Affect.
ing Lives Of Americans-A Admins
tration Hopeful.
wAsH1NGrnN. 1nir >,

WAbtlNGION, July "A.
The matter now is in the hands Of Ger.
many. Future relations between the Ber-
lin and Washington Governments depend
on Germanys action. not its words
This, in effect, summarizes the view in
official Washington, following publication
OF the latest American note on the Lusi-
tania horror and Germanys submarine
warfare. There is an air of calm waiting
in Government circles for advlces from
Berlin telling Of the impression created
there by the note.
The American reply--the third and prob
ably last on the Lusitanla case--is re-
garded here as an able and vigorous State
paper but at the same time friendly
Germany is informed in language as plain
as diplomatic usage will permit that her
note Of July s was unsatisfactory, that
the United states cannot accept the coun-
ter proposals made in that communities
tion, and this Government cannot recede
one whit from it's former position regard
ing the rights of neutrals at sea.
SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES.
The closing paragraph Of the American
reply Ia interpreted here as virtually say
ing to Germany that II her submarine
commanders again violate the rights Of
Americans, who are travelling peacefully
on the high seas the German Govern
ment must take the consequences. The
seriousness OF this, 1t is believed, must
be appreciated in Germany AS well as the
United States.
Friendship itself prompts It dhe
United States) to say to the Imperial
German Government that repetition by
commanders OF German naval vessels OF
acts in contravention of those rights
must be regarded by the Government Of
the United States, when they affect
American citizens, as deliberately un-
friendly reads the concluding para
graph and probably the most momentous
para graph of the American reply.
In the final revision OF the note II is un-
derstood the words deliberately un-
friendly" were inserted in lieu of "un-
friendly act" as originally written. Ths
vigor of the warning, however, is not con-
strued 10 have been changed by the sub
stitution. The general tenor Of the note
Is as forecast.
OFFICIALS SATISFIED.
Satisfaction is felt in official circles
here that all through the note Germany
is assured this Government desires to
maintain friendly relations. but these re-
fice of principle and American lives.
Without directly informing Germany that
further correspondence on the sunject 10
fruitless, the note clearly indicates that
the acts of Germany will be the guide
OF the United States in determining ner
real attitude in the present crisis.
The assertion in the American reply
that the rights of neutrals are based on
principle, not expediency, land the prin-
ciples are immutable" is construed aa
another clear warning that Germany is
expected to accept the previously enun-
ciated position of the United states.
UNPARDoNABLE oFFENsE.
Rejecting Germany's plea that her sub
marine warfare is in retaliation for the
British blockade, this Government states
unequivocally that the two issues cannot
be confounded and that If there is retail
iAtion 1t must be without sacrificing neu-
trails. Persistent sacrifice of these rights
of neutrals, the note says with broad
emphasis, might in some circumstances
constitute an objectionable offense
against the sovereignty Of the neutral
nations involved"
II Is realized here that the American
reply Is a vigorous, plain-spealSng COM
munication. although 1t Is not intended to
| be belligerent or bombastc.
The greatest Interest will be taken in
| the capital for the next few days regard
ing the note to Germany.
Having firmly announcer its position,
| which includes renewal of the demand
| for disavowal OF the Lusitanla tragedy
and reparatlon therefor. this Government
/ can only await results. That no i'm
mediate change is expected in the situa-
| tion is indicated by the return of the
| President to the New Hampshire hills
for another weeks rest.
Secretary Lansing and other members
OF the Cabinet have left the capital for
| week-ends. II now is up to the Kaiser
TO make his next move friendly or "de-
liberately unfriendly" and to determine
whether the United States win have to
employ its warning to uphold the free
dom OF the seas without compromise
and at any cost"