New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-24
Wide Appreciation of His
Firmness Expressed and
Support Promised.
ULTIMATUM TERM
GENERALLY APPLIED
Country That Does Not Want
War Will Fight if II Must,
Is Feeling.

mOdcl OF dlpIomatlc pnraSeoloEy, the
third note TO Germany is termed sub
stantially an ultimatum.
Germany's reply is awaited with in
terest and in the belief that at last the
Kaiser must realize the true sentiment
of the United States. Many editors,
although asserting that the country
does not want war, infer that, if forced
into the conflict by the Presidents firm
insistence on Germany's abiding
by the laws of civilization in her meth
DDS of warfare, the American people
will be found unitedly behind what
ever action may result from the policy
expressed in the new note.
Excerpts from editorials of leading
papers follow:
Philadelphia Public Ledger.
The final word of diplomacy has OBJ
viously been said. There can be no
possible doubt of its meaning. 1t is an
ultimatum in fact, if not in form. Less
than ever, after the clear exposition
of the American attitude which the
Secretary Of State has sent to the Ger
man Foreign Office, can the administra-
ton engage in further debate or yield
on any point. In this note the de-
mands upon Germany reach their ire
ducible minimum.
Even the unnecessary and rather un-
fortunate passage in which the Secre-
tary of State processes to believe that
the United States and Germany are at
one in a desire for the freedom Of the
seas and again suggests mediation on
this subjects between the bellgerents,
though it may conceivably give Berlin
the impression that il can still trifie
and put the question by, this does not
essentially impair the gravity of the
warning. No one will believe that there
is any intention to provide loophole
of escape from full responsibility for
the position this government has taken.
The Chicago Tribune.
The reply Of the government to the
latest German note appears to be
final, so far as the American conten-
tons Of law and right are concerned.
If not an ultimatum in form, it is an
ultimatum in fact. The door Of dis
cusson is closed There now can be
no doubt of the duty Of press and
public, and that is to accept the stand
taken by our government, without
cavil or reservation to give the gov
eminent our unfinchlng and unre-
served support, whatever the conse-
quences fate may have in store for
| the nation. Now that the case Is
closed for the United States, if the
note is to be deemed to close It, as
seems apparent, the duty of all cltl-
zcns is best expressed, we believe, by
/ the much abused and much misread
/ sentiment of Stephen Decatur:
/ "Our country! In her intercourse
with foreign nations may she always
| be in the right! But our country,
right or wrong"
Chicago Herald.
President Wilson's third note is adj
mirable alike for its courtesy and its
candor. 1t DISCUSSES not the offence
and it reviles not the offender. Wood
/ row Wilson has spoken for every one
of the 100, 100000 Americans worthy of
the name. In a great national crisis
he has voiced the soul of the American
people in words courteous and candid,
entirely friendly and entirely firm, re-
ho Of n a
friends we have ever been to the course
Of duty and honor.
St. Paul Pioneer Press.
II is a great American charter of
rights. 1t is broader than any specific
act or event in the scope of principles
/ it enunciates. II is the declaration
representing to the last word the senti-
ment of a free people who know their
! rights, have determined to defend them
and though DESTROYS of avoiding
trouble have the courage to face il
without compromise and at any cost"
Cleveland Leader.
The tone and meaning of the Ameri-
can reply to the latest note from the
/ imperial government of Germany can
not be mistaken or obscured. No
anxiety to read hopefulness in the
carefully chosen words of President
! Wilson and Secretary Lansing serve to
/ hide their deep and mOmentous i'm
port. They are a warning which is
none the less impressive because of
the moderation OF its phraseology and
the friendliness of its spirit. An issue
Of the gravest character passes from
/ Washington TO Berlin. The govern
ment of the United States has gone as
far as any argument can 60 in uphold
ing the rights of neutrals and the
principles of humanity The nation
stands with the President. 1t will sus-
| tain him to the end.
Baltimore American.
In no note that the United States has
/ sent to Germany has the principle of
might makes right" been so clearly
and definitely repudated as in this
/ latest. The refuge of lies has been
/ swept away.
Nor is there any ambiguity as to
what follows. The note sets forth that
if a belligerent finds itself unable to
retaliate against an enemy without in
turing neutral lives, humanity as well
as Justice demand that the practice be
discontinued. Should Germany persist
in its practices and should there be a
repetition of the acts made subject Of
complaint, therese acts will be regarded
as deliberately unfriendly. The adjec-
tive is strong and the one meaning in
diplomatic usage of the phrase en-
ployed is "war."
Hartford Comm Courant.
In the new note it is made quite clear
that we are displeased. II contains no
threat and suggests no penalty. 1t is
a polite appeal to friendship and sug-
gestion that we have the law on our
Side. whether we have the means and
disposition TO enforce the law or not.