The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-20
DR.. DERNBURG UPHOLDS
DEMANDS OF WILSON
Former German Colonial Minister Says Teutons Yielded
Wisely in Arabic Case and U. s. Was Right
in Pressing Submarine Protests.

tic manner M a single track railway
hat knows no side tracking or back
ward movement.
This will be demonstrated all the
more In view OF the Presidential cleo
lions u In 1916. when he intends TO
give an account to his nation or the
manner In which he has conducted It's
afYalrs--the more no inasmuch a. Con-
gress will no doubt give now impetus
and force to the Presidents demands.
in the dispute with Germany over
tho submarine warfare the United
States had only small e OF pres
sure because Of the complete paralysis
Of the German American trade rela-
lions. In the controversy with the AL
lies. however. and particularly as
against England. h American means
Of pressure are very powerful: refusal
Of credit. f~orbidding the national banks
TO discount allied bonds. embargo upon
several of the articles most essential to
the Allies. and finally an embargo on
the expectation Of arms and ammuni-
ton such as the American Congress
authorized against Mexico In 1912.
National Pride.
1T is true that pecuniary interests In
America play a more important role In
the decisions of the people than one Is
In a habit OF admitting OF other ma
tons. and hat through all these meas
ures the p~ocketbook OF the Americans
themselves would he unfavorably AZ
fected.
"However. Ne must not underesti.
mate the feeling Of independence and
the pride Of the American nation the
moment II feels that its rights are de.
Iiberately and ruthlessly trampIed
upon.
England has "A sort II premonition
In that direction and. knowing that she
must Yield. she seeks to guard herself
In advance. II Is this desire which
prompted tho recent order to British
vessels not to r TO. or ply between.
neutral ports. Tho attempt to buy UP
neutral ships and to bind American
vessels by long contracts finds the same
explanation.
"for II one has no ships, the free seas
are Of no value.
However. II may be presumed that
his very attempt will provoke the most
bitter Indignation In the United States.
for aside from the fact that his will
cause a reduction " American COM
'nerce and IN extraordinary rise in the
prices OF American goods. after the en-
tire German merchant feet which h.th-
erto took care Of "A great part of Ameri-
al overseas trade. has been bottled up.
there are figuring In this matter certain
factors which are singularly actual TO-
day.
"The best nav Is not prepared for
war II she has not n large her Of
conroys for the supply of coal and pro.
visions and for the transport Of troops,
n great number Of patrol boats and
coast steamers to guard the coast and
another number Of merchantmen suit
able as auxiliary cruisers.
"Ameriea faces q naval programme
81 the first order. which has the unani.
nous approval Of the nation.
America Would Act.
"The European war has heightened
the responsibility OF the American
Government just as much ~ nave the
attacks Of its all American opponents.
eff this British attempt 10 Nil ths
American maritime trade Il continued
We may expect that the American Sec
Rotary II the Navy. Mr.. Daniels. who
as recently as October 20 emphasized
In a speech the necessity of "A mer.
chant marine for purposes Of war. will
at once take counter measures.
Last year. when President Wilson
wanted to create an American merchan,
marine with Government money ant
u " AIb"A gnu At' bAA ia
Of neutral vessels or OF ships informed
in American waters, the American Con,
gress rejected his proposition.
AT that time there was no talk OF
an Increase In the American navy OF
Of American preparedness, To-day
conditions are entirely different, and
1t may easily be brought about that
England. through her chess move. has
brought about "A condition the Conse.
queuces Of which she had not the re,
hottest idea.
' Thus the American note 10 Grea'
, Britain. by simultaneously paving th'
way 70 the freedom Of the seas. opens
up an era Of discussion with England
the outcome OF which will, without any
doubt. be favorable for those who rep
resent justice and right
eve In Germany can aid these dis
cussiOns only II We View them with
calmness. qualification and dignity"