The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-06-16

The real objection to applying Mr..
Bryan's universal peace policy to the
dispute between the United States and
Germany Is that Germany refuses to do
anything toward making the plan ef-
fective. Germany has destroyed. con-
unues TO destroy and insists that 1t is
her right to destroy. without let or
hindrance. the property and lives of
non-combatants who are going peac-
ably about their business on the high
seas. and. furthermore. has refused to
give assurance that I'm future the in
ternational laws OF war will be OBJ
served. Mr.. Bryan would have the
United States yield every right II has,
submit TO wrong. injustice and the
butchering OF American citizens, and
supremely await Germanys pleasure
In the matter. President Wilson Is
perfectly willing. even anxious, as his
last note-the note Mr.. Bryan object
ed to and refused with sensational
flourish. to sign-clearly indicates, to
discuss In friendly spirit every point
OF difference that exists between Ger
many, as well as the other belligerent
nations. and the United States. All
that President Wilson demands Is
that Germany cease sinking merchant
vessels without warning. and exercise
ordinary precautions to avoid killing
non-combatants who may be on such
vessels In pursuit of their lawful bus
iness. That Is a reasonable demand
and IL is a demand that the United
states has the right to make. Under
Mr.. Bryan's plan the butchering OF
neutrals and the destruction OF mer-
chant ships would be continued
while the discussion to determine Ger
many's right to kill in this manner
was under way. IL Is probable that
by the time Mr.. Bryan's debate had
reached a conclusion Germany would
have killed all the people that the
apostles OF frightfulness desired to
kin or would have been put out OF the
killing business by the Allies. An
academic decision that II was wrong
for Germany TO kill neutrals In this
manner would not resurrect the VIC
Tins. although II might satisfy Mr.
Bryan. President Wilson would stop
the killing while the discussion is GO
ing on. That Is all the difference we
can discern In the position of Presi-
dent Wilson and MIR. Bryan. The
publication OF the text OF The note
confirms the belief that Mr.. Bryan's
resignation was monumental play to
the galleries, accurately timed to
create the greatest possible sensa-
tion. III he could sign the preceding
notes without violating his conscience
no could have signed the last note
without scruple.
The unkindest OF all the criticisms
OF Mr.. Bryan was that he is struggling
for the Nobel Peace prize. worth
something more than $4,000.
Why should Mr.. Bryan address an
open letter to the German Americans
rather than to the Anglo-Americans
Franco co-Americans. Russo-A Americans
or any other of the hyphenized citi-
Gems Of the United States? Has the
COMMUNICATIONS more votes. are
they better organized politically. are
they more antogonistic to policy of
flrmness In dealing with Germany in
defense OF American rights than other
foreign born citizens? Does ne cx-
pect from them stronger support OF
his campaign To undermine President
Wilson's influence? Does he believe.
or pretend To believe. that the Ger
man-Americans. who have founted In
the face OF real American citizens
their loyalty TO Kaiser Wilhelm and
their sympathy with the Prussian
dream OF world conquest. will sincere
~ support his universal peace policy ?
Does he imagine that he can obscure
In the minds of Americans the patent
fact that the hyphenized variety OF
citizens care nothing for peace ideals
and. In this crisis. seek only the ad.
vantage OF the country TO which they
give their sympathy and allegiance
Does ne not know. .Nas every other man
or average intelligence knows, that
the ad. comfort ana support he may
receive from the German-Amcrican,
In his ill-timed attack on the pollcy
Of the Wilson administration will b,
given him in the hope II Mt it will ad
vantage the cause OF the German en-,