Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-05-14
Let Germany Decide.

Let Germany Decide.
1t is Germany's move.
The American President has ex :.
pressed in courteous. dignified Ian
guage, the determination Of the Ameri-
can people.
The head Of the United States gov
eminent has informed the German en-
peror and advisers that we are pre-
pared to meet any eventualities
springing from our demand for justice.
We believe that the firm course of
President Wilson meets the desire oe
the people. that they universally ap-
prove, and will stand by him to the
last man.
We are a peaceful people; we do not
want war; we are determined not to
have war; we believe that war is I'M
necessary and unlikely-but with the
President we are determined tina.
American rights shall be respected
even by war-mad nations.
Germany may not care; she may feel
that she can afford to throw American
friendship to the winds; she may for
get that strong neutral power made
up largely Of noble citizens Of German
extraction, would be an asset in the
final adjustment Of the present war
difficulties-but she understands today
that no loyal American will permit
the needless slaughter Of women and
children as an expression Of contempt
for what the world can do.
If, as indicated today from the Ger
man embassy at Washington. the
American demands will be refused and
the methods of indiscrimnate slaugh-
ter by German submarines go on. in
defiance of the laws Of civilized war
fare, then it is high time for us to
sever relations with such a nation.
The request Of the American Presi-
dent is reasonable. generous and just.
We unhesitatingly commend it as
voicing true Americanism. We urge
confidence in, and support of, the
President in these trying hours.
The situation is grave indeed. Ger
many can, if she will. make herself an
outlaw among the nations Of the earth,
and forfeit the friendship Of every
neutral power. An exchange pub
fishes the following from Washington
IF statements made in diplomatic
circles tonight can be credited, Ger
many is not at all worried by the
prospect Of war with the United
States. tt was suggested in re-
sponsible quarters that she is looking
for an excuse to break off relations
because she is prepared to send
flotilla of 200 submarines on the high
seas to destroy every munition or food
carrying vessel that leaves the United
States for British and French ports.
The greatest single desire on the
part of Germany, according to these
diplomats, is to block the Allies sup
ply Of American-made guns and car
tridges. To carry out this plan she
the United States.
THE American Army is not taken
seriously in Germany, the American
Navy would be Of negligible value in
the present conflict, according to the
German military leaders, and the hos
tility of the United States would be
more than balanced by the lessened
quantity of war munitions being
shipped from this country.
German diplomats insist that Rus
STA will be helpless whenever the
American supply of guns and am
munition is cut off, and her only hope
lies in a continuance of importationa
from America"
This may be true. but we believe the
firm stand of the American govern
ment will win vastly more approval
than a contemplate course of supine
submission. We believe our SPresi
dents course will hold more friends il
Germany, and more firmly cement the
loyalty of German than
any half-hearted or vacillating course
could do.
The next move is for Germany, and
thinking Americans are convinced that
her future for many generations to
GONE may be changed by her selection