Evening star., 1915-05-31
British Newspapers Label It
Offensive in ignoring Amer
lean Questions.
ATTACK on MEGANTIC
USED AS ILLUSTRATION
Standard Declares Berlin Has Dis
covered New Form of Diplomacy.
One of Misstatement

LONDON. May 81, 12:1S p.m.-Com-
menting on the German reply to the
American note concerning the Lusita-
mia incident the Manchester Guardian
SAYS:
We do not know how long the war
will last, but it is clear that II Ger
many has her way its end will find the
negotiations with the United states
over the submarine blockade still
dragging out their interminable length
The German note does not even re-
ply directly to the American request
that such actions as the sinking of the
LNsitania should be disavowed and
that they should he discontinued.
The note actually has the effrontsry TO
add that the passengers probably Wouio
have been saved had it not been for the
explosion of ammunition which, II is
alleged was carried by the Lusltanid,
as though the submarine had torpedoed
the ship without intending actually 10
sink her.
almost as offensive is the sugges-
tion that before the submarine can he
condemned for not having given the
crew and passengers time 10 escape
il must be shown that the Lusitania
was duly equipped with life-saving ap-
paratus. as ordered by the Titanic con-
ference.
IN a word. the United States is offered
the prospect OF a prolonged controversy
over points of detail. but no disaVowai
of what has been done; no acceptance
Of the principles Of naval warfare which
she assumed Germany would be ANXIOUS
10 uphold, and not word as to any
change Of mind or policy. The submarine
war is to be pursued as before. and Amer
risk"
The Pail Mall Gazette says:
..If the slaughter of the Lusitania's
passengers is to be defended by the as
sertion that the vessel was CARVING am
munition we wonder what excuse is avail
able for Saturdays attempt on the
steamer Megantic (of the White Star
Line) That liner, which was outward
bound. cannot be worked to any theory
Of contraband on which Germany may
base the right Of murder.
..None of the quasi-logical disguiseS
for frightfulness' will stretch from
enc of these examples to the other
Points to Megantic.
The Westminster Gazette says;
Whatever virtue there might have
been in the German plea that the Lusi-
tania was sunk because she was be-
lieved to be carrying ammunition is
destroyed in advance by the attempt
to stop the Megantic saturday The
Megantic was outward bound from
Liverpool and certainly she was not
carrying warlike supplies in that di-
roction She escaped because OF her
superior speed, and not because OF any
German qualms about sinking en- IN
nocent passenger ship.
The German reply to the American
message 10 exactly what was expected.
It avoids any direct answer to the
specific questions asked by the United
States. The German government in
short, seeks to gain time"
The Evening Standard says:
Germany has discovered a new form
oz diplomacy. This consists OF glaring
misstatements. so readily capable of
disproof as scarcely to be worth the
trouble Of refutation The note to
America declares that the Lusttania
had guns concealed under her deck
and carried trained gunners- Apart
from other evidence to the contrary.
oept this in view of the official state
ment of the collector of the port Of
New York that no guns. mounted or
otherwise. were on board.
Tt is possible that Germany thinks
to succeed. in this gigantic game of
bluH. but that only indicates the meas
ure of her sef-deception. When Wash
ington wants to discuss submarine at
tacks on neutral vessels on the plane
of an international policy Berlin re-
plies by arguments and technicalities."
Seeks Delay Only.
The Daily Chronicle says:
IF President Wilson accedes to Ger
many's demand for further delay we
Imagine 1t will be on the condition that
she stop her submarine warfare in the
interim. The considerable time which
has elapsed since the American note
was presented has been used BY the
Germans to torpedo several ships, in
cluding one American. Manifestly Mr..
Wilson would be giving Germany all
she wants II he conceded indefinite
further delay on the same terms.