The Washington times., 1915-06-13


principle of investigation embodied
In our thirty peace treaties: second,
action which would prevent Ameri-
can citizens from travelling on bel
ligerent ships or on American ships
carrying contraband. especially II
=. that contraband consisted of ammu-
nitlons: and. third, further insis-
tence upon our protest against in
terference Of our trade with neu-
trails. I thought that these three
things were within the range Of
possibilities and that two or at least
one was probable.
New Situation Created.
Some weeks have elapsed since the
first note was sent, and we have not
only failed to do any of these things
hoped for. but Germany has in the
meantime answered. and In her an
swer has not only presented a num-
Der OF alleged facts which, in her
Judgment. justified the deviation
which she has made from the ordi-
nary rules applicable to prize cases.
a rejection Of the arguments,
which she presented and of the allie
cations made, together with re-
iteration of the original demands,
creates very different situation
from that which existed when the
hrst demand was made. As l have
before stated. my fear has been
that owing to the feeling existing in
Germany the Government might,
upon receipt of such a note under
such circumstances. break off diplo-
matte relations and thus create a
situation ont Of which war might
come without the intention of
either side.
l am sure that the President does
not want war. and / am convinced
that our people do not want war;
either the German government or
the German people desire war.
Would Not Take Risk
But war. a calamity at any time,
is especially to be avoided now, be-
cause our nation is relied upon by
both neutrals and belligerents as the
one nation which can exert most in
fiuence toward bringing this war to
to be drawn into the conflict. we
would not only surrender the op-
portuntty to act as a mediator. but
we might become responsible. for
drawing other nations into this cop-
test.
When we see how one nation after
another has been dragged into this
war we cannot have confidence In
the ability Of any one to calculate
with certainty upon the results that
might follow II we become embroiled
In the war, No one will be hap
pier than l IL the Presidents plan
results In q peaceful settlement. but
no one was In position to say what
effect our note would haye upon
Germany or what results would fol-
low II she In anger broke of diplo-
matic relations, and I was not only
unwilling to assume the response
bility for the risks incurred-risks
which no one could with any degree
- OF accuracy measure-but felt that.
having done all I could in the Cabi-
net. It was my duty to undertake,
which / have entered.
To Treat All Alike.
have no doubt that the country
will unanimously support the Presi-
dent during the war. II so great a
misfortune should overtake us. but
I believe that the chances of war
viii be lessened in proportion as the
peace-not peace at any price"-but
peace In preference to a war waged
Tor the redress OF such grievances as
We have against Germany-at least,
against war until We have given to
Germany the opportunity which we
France, and kussia-to have every
difference OF every character SUBJ
mitted to an international commits
sion OF investigation. ] would con-
tend as earnestly for the application
of the treaty principle to the allies
as I contend for 1t in the case of
Germany.
If the principle is sound, 1t ought
to be applied to every country with
which we have a difference, and IL
tt ought to be applied at all. / think
1t Is better to suggest II In the be-
ginning than to accept 1t later, after
seeming reluctance to apply 1t.
Important Change in Note.
I understand that Secretary Lam
sing has already given out a state
ment correcting an inaccuracy which
appeared in this mornings papers.
! appreciate his kindness. 1t is true
that saw the final draft of the note
Just before my resignation took ef-
feet, but 1t contained an important
change. l had no knowledge of this
was rendered and accepted.
Ihis change, while very much soft
enlng the note, was not, however,
sufficient, in my judgment, to justify
me in asking permission to withdraw
my resignation. AS Germany had
suggested arbitration 1 felt that we
could not do less than reply to this
offer by expressing a willingness to
apply the principle of the peace
treaties to the case. These treaties.
while providing for investigation of
all questions. leave the nations free
to act independently after the in
fQTnafinnal at,ote hoe