The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-08-20
The German Answer

The German Answer4
Facts more than adjectives are I'm
pcrtant In considering yesterdays cul-
minating achievement Of the Won Tir-
pitt policy. The Arabic. American
ownei but sailing under the British
nag. familiar to Americans not only
40 a regular liner but also as the car
rier Of many parties Of Americans on
pleasure cruises to the Mediterranean
and elsewhere. was cent DO the bottom
by a blow beneath the belt from II
German submarine in that same re-
zion of frightfulness Just outside the
front door Of British commerce which
witnessed the murder Of the Lusi-
tania's passengers and the more re
cent attack on the Oriuna.
The Arabic, unlike the Lusitania,
was coming westward; and by no effort
Of military sophistry could she be re-
garded as an ammunition ship.
Our information at this writing is
that the blow was without warning
The stated time Of sinking. about ten
minutes after the delivery Of the
blow, indicates that the German COM
mander was reckless Of the u
Quences Of his act TO the lives of
neutral n-combatants There were
more than a dozen American passen-
gers on the Arabic, according to last
nights dispatches. What was the Toll
Of neutral death, Of American lives, II
any, sacrificed by Won TIRPIrz's order,
cannOt now be said. II there wa
warning, II there was an observance
or an attempt TO observe the rules
Of naval warfare and the dictates OF
common humanity, the affair presents
adifferent aspect. Supposlng the worst
and heaven grant that the worst
be not true!-we have Germany's an,
swer. not in words but in a frightful
deed. to the note OF W warming signed
by Secretary LANSING just thirty day,
ago this day.
Still supposing the worst, the Ger
man answer has come after an uney.
ampled manifestation OF patience and
forbearance on the part Of this
friendly Government. II has come In
the form which President Wilson and
Secretary Lansing plainly charac-
terized on July 81 as ian unpardon-
able offence against the sovereignty
Of the neutral nation affected; and
again. as an act deliberately uu-
friendly" The Government Of the
United States then notified the Ger
man Government that II would con.
tinue 10 contend for the right Of It's
neutral citizens to sail on the neutral
seas unassassinated, without com
promise and at any cost"
No Government worthy Of the re
spect Of It's equals on earth could le'
that definite promise 90 unredeemeC
without immersing itself and It's PEG
pie in Undesirable humiliation. tn,
warning Of n month ago was not
threat Of war. 1t Is not the constitu
tional function OF the American Ex
ecutive to declare war on a foreign
nation, 10 matter what the provoca
ton the power to decree war Is solel.
in the Congress. But II is within tn,
power Of the President, in the failur,
Of apology and rearation immed!
ately and voluntarily rendered, 10 re
call IT'S representatives az the capita
of the deliberately unfricndly Govern
ment, 10 break off all diplomatic rela
lions ari oficlal intercourse will
that unfriendly Government and Z
dismiss pe%remptorily the represents
tlyes which that unfriendly Govern
ment has accredited TO us by handin
them their pa ssports
This, still %supposlng the worst, |
the obvious and only course consonan
with the self.respeSt OF the America
people in the present extremely crit
ical j%uncturc. That the nations di.
nifty will be adequately maintained b
Mr.. WILSON'S Admin tratlon, Will
out compromise and AT any cost, ths
the Congress will he called together
the curse Of events requires a resol