The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-09-14
The Only Road to Peace.

The United States wants peace with
Germany and Austria. Those men
and associations that truly represent
the sentiment Of the nation seek no
quarrel with the Teutonic Empires.
On the contrary, the sober and worthy
thought of the country, committed TO
strict neutrality in the struggle that
convulses Europe, seeks by every hon
orable method to mitigate the appar-
ent insults that arouse popular antag.
onism. and to clarity a situation as
menacing on account of the misunder-
standings arising from IL as ii is be-
cause of its residuum of authentic
causes for dissatisfaction. Yet this
good will and the efforts that have
sprung from it have not been elfec-
tive to prevent the creation of a con
dition that may with propriety be de-
scribed as exceedingly critical, the
possibilities of which 1t would be folly
for us to ignore.
How sincere is the desire for a con-
tinuation of u historic relations OF
amity with the Central Powers was
shown by the reception of Ambassa-
dor BERNsToRFr's assurance that his
Government accepted the principle for
which this nation took its stand in
the correspondence following the in
stltution of the German submarine
campaign. Convinced that departure
from the hitherto accepted rules of
war on the sea constituted an intoler-
able invasion OF neutral rights. our
Government labored studiously to
impress It's convictions on those to
whom the rulership OF Germany is
they acquiesced in our contention vas
received throughout the United States
with heartfelt rejoicing, not as a
diplomatic triumph but as conclusive
proof that the guiding factors In the
countries interested were in substan-
tial agreement and intellectual har-
mony. Moreover, after the publica-
ton OF the Bernstorff note. news of
incidents which appeared to contra
dict its pledge was received here with
n restraint that measured the gcnu-
~ineness of our trust in German single.
miudedness. And despite these favor
able circumstances the danger of a
rupture that may end in war must be
recognized.
To what shall we attribute this con
Trajectory situation, this possibility OF
conflict between one Power that GER
tainly wishes and others that. It is ouI
firm belief, wish 10 maintain amlty'
1t Is not sufficient rswer TO say
that a supreme war party in Berlin
contemptuously challenges the world
Were that the case we should b,
engaged in the combat to-day. Nor dc
the inevitable accidents of the con
flct in Europe Justify the tension tina
now Enthusiastically exists. We mus.
look at home for nj least an impor
tant part Of the explanation.
Unfortunately, the official spokos
men of the United States have erecte
a psychological barrier that from
the beginning has handicapped on
diplomacy. The amazing proceeding,
tons to DIR. DUMBA d~iscreditci tn
earliest of our notes on the Lusltanii
case and reduced 1t from the statu
Of a serious diplomatic document I,
the mean level of a domestic and par
tlsan political u~tterance. have I'M
qucstionably led the Teutonic nego
~tiators to look with suspicion on thu
purpose of the State Department. Tn
solemnest words, truly expressive q
, our most explicit demands, have becl
Initiated by the recollection of tn,
under cover assurances made by IN,
Presidents official representative, an,
in the contemplation of each new not
: his protestations that we meant les
than We said have nullified our mes
sage. Moreover, the example set II
our dealings with Mexico, wher
ldealistic devotion to some Obscur
= ambition of altruism has sacrifice,
: prestige, treasure and lives, has con
>, firmed the d%istruSt Of our earnest
ness and sustained the secret inter
. pretations derived from Mr., BRYAN.
Is 1t a matter for wonder that, thu
environed, the sovereignty of tn
United States lapscd into dlSrcput,
and that even within our own boz
ders acts We're committed that wOult
y never have been attempted In an
' nation whose Administration con
y manded confidence? Count BFRNsTORF
I himself Is free, apparently, from al
u tack on this score. but among the of
Z cial representatives Of his cOuntr
here are men whose OyerZealousness
y encouraged by disbelief in the ia!ap
rlty of our declarations, has led [
misconduct that threatens our inter
= nal political and commercial well b,
ing, and whose activities have been s.
brazen that they are known to all cit
III zens except the officials whose duty
Is TO rcpress them. In addition to thl
I there has been permitted n propa
ganda whose object was to destroy ou