South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-07-27
OUR INEVITABLE WAR POLICY

OUR INEVITABLE WAR POLICY
It has taken three vigorous diplo-
matte notes and nearly six months oil
free, unanimous expression from tbs
American people. 10 impress Germany
with the fact that our government
meant what il said I'm its note of Feb
10. That document was our first pro
test against Germans announcement
Of her plan 10 destroy. without warn
ing. any merchant vessels found in q
prescribed war zone" which she had
presumed 10 draw around the coasts
OF Great Britain and France.
In that note our government de-
clared that 1T would be constrained &c
hold the German government 10 q
strict accountability for such acts OF
their naval authorities. and 10 take
any steps it might be necessary tC
take 20 safeguard American property
and 10 secure American citizens the
fEu enjoyment OF their acknowledged
rights on the high seas"
In reply, Germany on Feb. 16 agreed
with the principle of international
law that is supposed 10 guarantee the
safety OF neutral shipping. But she
pleaded that she was struggling for
her existence and 50 was Obliged tC
wage a ruthless submarine campaign
against British shipping also that
because British ships were misusing
the American flag. she could not guar
antee to respect the flag.
After several weeks Of Illegal at
tacks on enemy merchantmen, ana
even on two or three American mer-
chantmen, came the sinking of the
Lusitania. with the killing of more
than 100 Americans. Six days later
on May 81, Pres't Wilson proceeded 10
hold the German government to a
strict accountability. demanding rep
aration so far as reparatiOn is possible
for injuries which are without meas
ure." He added the momentOus an
nouacement that the United States
would mot omit any word or act nee
essary TO the performance of its sacred
duty Of maintaining the rights Of the
United states and it's citizens"
Germany answered on May so,
pleading that the Lusitania carried
cannon. and therefore might properly
be considered an armed cruiser; that
German commanders are no lonser
able TO observe the customary regula-
tions of the prize law" and that Ger
many believed she was acting in JUS
tiled seIf-defense in using any means
whatever TO destroy ammunition en-
route 10 the enemy.
In the second Lusitania note. sent
on June 10. the president denied Off
ciany that the Lusitania was armed.
repeated his solemn warning" in be-
half Of an offended nation. and ex-
planned that the United States was
"contending for nothing less high and
sacred than their rights OF humanity. "
on July came Germany's last and
most disappointing response, more
definitely denying responsibility for the
Lusitania crime and refusing repara-
ton. and proposing a plan by which
American citizens and goods might
cross the Atlantic with impunity un-
der certain strict conditions prescribed
by Germany.
on July i Pres't Wilson delivered
to Germany what may be considered
our last word on the subject He
refused. without discussion, Germany
humiliating proposals for limiting oul
free use Of the sea; he declared tina
this nation is determined 10 main
tam its rights as neutral on the high
seas without compromise and at an.
cost" and that any further attack OF
our citizens or ships in contraventioi
of our legal rights will be accepted
SIS a deliberately unfriendly act"
our government has steered an alb
solutely clear and consistent cours
from its first word in the controvers,
10 its last IL has EeIu 90 the point re
CARELESS Of German evasion. bubble
and threats. Ii has stood for Ameri
can rights all the more firmly be
cause those rights are also the right
OF all other neutrals. and OF all hu
mainly.
In this whole course. the presiden
has the united support Of all tru
Americans-the few disloyal ones
moved by alien inspiration. may b.
disregarded
We do not know what the outcome
will bet rests with the German gov
eminent. But whatever comes. tn
nation is prepared TO do its duty. il
the consciousness that il is everlast
ingly right. and could not do other
wise than il has done without sacri
dcing the Ideals OF 159 years and be
traying the cause OF civilization.
THOSE STREET IMPROVEMENT
TVCV~RIrS