The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-31

reply to President WILSON'S note Is
unanimous that the document is I'M
satisfactory. New York city and out
II town publications alike take his
view. but several believe that a peace
full issue will yet be found. Some,
however. term the answer a "deliber-
ate insult and ask corresponding con-
duct on the part OF the Washington
Government. Excerpts from editorials
in leading papers of the country fol-
low:
The Times.
The German reply is not responsive
g. our demand. II does not promote
that clear and full understanding as
to a grave situation which President
wilson in his note declared to be de-
sirahlc. II end rather to becloui
understanding, for 1t leaves us in doubt
whether The German Government has
been fully apprised of the deep feeling
aroused among the people of the United
States by the series of events which.
in tie Presidents words, have bean
observed with growing concern. distress
ana dmazement.' TIE manner In which
BERN receives our representations in
regard to the sinking of the Lusitania
cannot fail to create a most disagree
able impression In this country. which
the notes outward form Of courtesy
viii not remove And the reference %
the German proposal that we seek i'm
munity from slaughter for our citizens
and from destruction for our ships BY
pleading with England to abandon her
blockade Is so remote from a satisfac-
tory response to the protest and the
demand Of our note as TO engender the
Suspicion that the Imperial Govern
ment is temporizing with n situation
to- grave for such unworthy d~alliance
"Gormany does not want war with
the United States. The sophistlca.
reasoning which imputes to her such
a desire refutes itself. The " nations
are in accord In seeking the way Of
peace. and. being in that temper. the
way Will necessarily be found.'
The Herald.
Germany has ignored the real issue
presented by the American note OF May
l3.' As was clearly set forth in hat
historic document, the attitude OF the
United States is not based upon any
one OF the series OF vents cited but
upon the principle involved in the
method of warfare in which they were
incidents.
The United States stands to-day the
champion of neutral rights and non
combatant humanity. In the case OF
Germany versus Civilization, the United
States holds a brief for Civilization
and will to the end. Germany must re-
epa,t th. viDksa ~ MT
travelling upon the high seas. II it does
not IL cannot expect the United States
to ONT, any word or any act-to quote
the Presidents wi words-necessary
to the performance of its sacred duty
Germany's efforts to ignore the
issue can only have the effect OF bring
ing il to a head"
The World.
THE German note In response to the
American protest against submarine at
lacks upon merchantmen does not meet
the issue. 1t is worse than evasive.
II is insincere. wen pettifogging.
Berlin does not answer the Presi-
dents questions. II ignores his appeal
for redress. II takes no account Of the
Unreasonable wrongs against which
he complains. on the contrary, having
set international law and solemn treaties
aside and taken refuge behind false
hoo and subterfuge. II proposes delay
and discussion on our part while re-
serving TO itself the right TO Black Hand
our people and our goods,
The issue, so far as the United States
is concerned, was defined once and for
all by President Wilson when he said {:
The Imperial German Government will
not eNpect the Government OF the United
States to omit any word or any act
necessary TO the performance of its
sacred duty of maintaining the rights
of the United States and its citizens
and Of safeguarding their free exercise
and enjoyment"
The Tribune.
"Germany's answer TO our Govern
ment's protest against the slaughter Of
its citizens. peacefully and lawfully
going about their business on the high
seas. will not satisfy American opinion.
II is likely to infame feeling here in
stead of moderating II.
only a stubborn insistence on the
military value OF an illegal method Of
warfare blinds Germany TO the truth.
WIN she abandon that method. either
because she sees that II Is inhuman
and lawless or because she prefers to
avoid a clash with the United States?
That question the note leaves open
and tries to hrust into the future. But
1t cannot be so disposed OF. The muir
der OF our citizens must stop, and IL IL
the firm conviction OF the great mass
of Americans that negotiations for a
settlement of our differences with Ger
many are not worth continuing except
upon an Immediate and definite assur-
ance that II will ~stop-that IL has al
ready stopped"
The Press.
"Berlin's answer to President Will
sons note is friendly, gracious and
unsatisfactory.
President Wilson'S rejoinder to Ber-
lin. therefore, must be very quick and
sharp-that the Berlin Foreien Office
does not read our laws any better han
the Won Tirpitz Admiralty observes the
la VS. OF God,
Berlin is trying to postpone a settle
ment with outraged and uncompromising
American sentiment while making the
fanatic war party In Prussia believe
that II is defying the New World as it
has dehed the Old"
New Yorker Herold.
The request OF the German Govern
ment to suspend Judgment Til the naval
status OF the Lus!;ania Is determined is
not Incompatible with the supposition
that Germany acts In entirely good faith.
The view seems to be prevalent In Ger
many that the Lusltan.a was armed
As proofs for this belief w may quote
40. 80, hT CANT IIArGitta IN tho Dor