Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-07-20
Most DastardIy Act

II we accept the facts at hand, the
statement Of captain. passengers
and crew OF the Cunard line steamer
Orduna, this most recent outrage to
be laid at the door of Germany is as
founding in its evident willingness to
shatter all hope of a peaceful I'M
Outstanding with the United States
concerning the Lusitania horror. To
say the very least it is unfortunate
that Pelion should be piled on Ossa at
this critical hour.
The Orduna escaped the fate of the
Lusitania by a slight error in aim
ing his deadly missile on the part Of
the German commander Of submar-
inc. The first warning the officers Of
the steamer had was the passing Of a
torpedo ten feet astern. Eight min
utes afterward they saw a sub
marine arise three-fourths of a mile
away. The periscope at that distance
could not be discovered by the look
out on the steamer. or by the officers
or crew. Yet the submarine comman-
der had been watching this passenger
10. n6 hi C
shot. He had probably estimated the
speed of the steamer at IA miles an
hour. That she was travelling at the
rate Of IS miles undoubtedly saved the
lives of all on board, a score of Amer
lean passengers among them.
1t was the deliberate, cowardly blow
of the assassin who shoots from am
bush and then skulks away.
The fate Of the Orduna might never
have been known if this German Mo-
Ioch had been successful.
ouI IlS1E 10 TIC OdlhiiilS Pdit VI hHS
incident, so far as Germany is con-
cerned. and the desperate attempt on
the part of the German commander
to destroy every scrap Of evidence,
NAV be better understood-THEO Or
pUNA WAS NOT SAILING TOWARD
EUROPE BUT FOR NEW YORK.
This passenger steamer could never
have been suspected Of carrying either
arms or supplies to the enemies Of
Germany, BECAUSE SHE WAS GO.
ING THE OTHER WAY.
The act of this commander is not
only SO dastardly as to shame an
Apache, but it was in defiance Of
every law of nations and Of human
principle. If this commander was
acting under the orders of the German
government then has Germany des-
troyed every vestige of sympathy or
support on the part of any civilized
people If he only thought he was
acting for Germany's interests and
blundered, then he was fool as well
as a coward.
The very cowardliness of such
deed rankles in the heart of every hu-
man being in whose veins red blood
flows. The folly of it is monu-
mental; and the grim, bloodthirsty
intent sends a shudder to the heart Of
civilization.
A man who has boone so brutalized
in the service of his country as to COM
NIT such a deed as was here attempted,
is standing evidence of the awful influ-
ence Of militarism.
No act of history has SO everlastingly
condemned Prussianism as this-unless
Germany promptly disavows the act
of this commander in its dastardly at
tempt to sink an unarmed passenger
steamer without any possible excuse or
pretext. other than that the vessel it
self was the property Of an enemy. and
without the slightest warning.
We hope Germany will act promptly
in this, and if she does not, all facts
being established, the United States
should. If Germany is guilty. may the
hand Of the Almighty be swift and sure
in en- ling for all ages regime of such
devilish conceptions and ferocity.
Let Us Reason Together.
Both labor and capital are con-
stantly seeking the most profitable
field Of employment. Foreign labor