Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-07-12
II 10 Not q "Repiy.'


Il is an evasion. The American con-
,ention was based wholly on the rights
of neu,rals under the international
agreements provided for time OF war.
America demands tina, international
law re not disregarded as scrap OF
paper"
Boiled down. we asked assurance
that merchant ships be halted and
searched before sinking with all their
precious freight. instead OF being sunk
according to the German custom es-
tsblished with lis new mode" OF war
fare) and Investigated afterward.
Germany. after sinking the great
passenger ship without moment
warning, put up the feeble pretense
that the Lusitania was armed ana
manned. and carried arms. The Uni
ted States government promptly gave
Official assurance that Germany had
been misiCformed, and even had the
German claim been true, We still de-
manded the guarantee that in future
the provisions made by civilized peoples
for the protection Of non-comba'ants
be respected.
In each OF its offerings Germany has
ignored this point which constitutes
the gist of the whole controversy.
The American government has not
listened 20 the irresponsible warn
:ngs" from German sources that a
steamer was 70 be sunk by German
submarines. Il was not its part to
Go SO Il depended upon the guaran-
tees Of international law. Il has vi
ola,ed TO rules, agreements, laws or
condolences. Il supports the cause Of
humanity and justice. II demands re-
spect for its rights and those Of other
neutral nations
That Germany chooses repeatedly TO
ignore fair and reasonable request
proves that she Is not only weak in her
position but that her government is
unwilling 70 NEE; the situation fairly
and honestly She is willing TO compro-
mise on some new issue which she
would initiate, hut the manner in
which she ignores the American claim
is Insulting, 10 say the least.
Germany ratified the Declaration Of
London but has repeatedly and gross
ly violated its provisions and lamely
excuses herself on the plea Of new
method Of warfare" that cannot COM.
PLY with the humane rules Of inter
national agreements and LIVE. Is
that the fault Of humanity or the new
system?
If Germany has established a new
system of warfare. for the sake of de-
feating her enemies, that outrages
humanity. violates all rules Of war
and shames the hosts Of he'll in its
wicked brutality and bloodthirsty
disregard Of the rights of any human
being but Prussian warlords, then it
is high time that Germany is given TO
understand that the world will not
stand for the system.
II Germany cannot win without
tranpling the rights. as set forth in
the agreements Of world powers for
generations. then she must lose and
the world will be the better for her
losing. If she il permitted to persist in
such inhuman warfare and wins. then.
indeed. mas Satan come down among
US having great wrath
So far as the German concessions"
are concerned the American govern
Ment should be glad 10 meet her half
suit in the protection of non combat
ants or the safeguarding of neutral
traffic. But We do not see how the
governments of the world can pros
.rate themselves before the German
war god to notify him that they are
sending, on such a date and route,
and under such flag, a neutral ship.
manned by neutral crew. unarmed.
carrying no contraband. and loaded
with unarmed non-combatants, when
the commander of a German subma-
rine would be upheld in sinking sucn
steamer on the excuse that Germany
had received private information from
trusted German sources that the
steamers owners and government
had lied.
Germany cannot-should not be al
lowed to-escape the requirements Of
all human provisions that she search
before sinking and give non-combat-
ants opportunity to escape. Now is the
time to make the American determin-
stion plain,