New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-26
Everything or Nothing.

The German request Tor delay IN uea-
ing with the Arabic incident means every
thing or nothing. There is not the small
est evidence vet to indicate which, apart
from that supplied by the fact that the re-
ouest was made and that the language
admits Of satisfactory Interpretation as
n promise of future explanations.
There is only one issue between US ana
Germany. There is only one method OF
settling it. If Germany is prepared TO
announce that she has instructed her sub
marine captains to exercise the right OF
search in advance of sinking passenger
ships-in a word, if she has decided TO
Weld to American demands-then there IS
an end to all that is threatening in the
present crisis.
But short of this there is no end. An
other incident" granted that the Arabic
can be explained away will mean another
crisis and the end of relations. Still an
other could hardly fail to precipitate the
hostilities no one wants. clubbing now
would mean the destruction Of the last
possible chance of amicable arrangement
hereafter.
Until the German Government has made
its statement we shall do well to wait with
omen minds. neither deluded by optimism
nor rendered unreceptive by pessimism.
Above all this is not the time to glorify
American craftsmanship and rouse Ger
man susceptibilities by claiming a great
American victory, which means a humiliat-
ing German reverse.
If Germany now understands American
sentiment, if she has no desire to add
America to her numerous enemies, she will
presently give notice Of change Of policy
this will involve disavowal of both the
Iusitania and the Arabic presidents. II
Germany still doubts that we are in ear
nest. if she is still prepared to risk Ameri-
can hostility to carry on campaign OF
"frightfulness" against England, then we
shall presently have a communication
charged with all the cleverness German
diplomacy can give it, but destitute Of all
value and pertinence in the present criti-
cal situation.
If Mr.. Wilson shall succeed in bringing
about a peaceful solution he will de-
serve all praise. But the very success Of
his labors may be rendered impossible by
IN injudicious celebration now. 1t is not the
Vhumiliation of Germany that he or any
other sane person desires. What we all
ask is a final end to an intolerable situa-
ton that can only be terminated by a
change of German policy.
Talk about German "backdown" is not
only inappropriate, but it is mischievous.
1t does not square with any available facts
and it builds up for the German states
men, who may be seeking to bring about
stacles which may prove insuperable. Il
is not easy for the leaders Of a people as
triumphant as the Germans are at the
moment to persuade them to yield, how
ever necessary or just the yielding may be.
We in the United States are in deadly
earnest. We have already envisaged q
break with Germany, automatically. We
have all Of us had to consider recently
that this might be but the prelude to war,
and we have accepted this situation, but
without the slightest desire TO make war
or to contribute to such an end. We may
have to fight, but the last thing in the
American mind is to do anything to pick a
fight with Germany.
If the German statesmen have seen the
situation as it is fnally-if they are try
ing TO bring about a peaceful solution,
their difficulties are great enough without
further handicaps created by American
press and public statement. They are
entitled to fair chance, and they will not
have it if Americans begin to chant the
prowess of their diplomacy or proclaim the
surrender of Germany.
Until Germany has made formal eX-
PLANTATION the best thing in the world to
do is to let the Arabic incident lie. We
know what must be done to dispose of it.
We are all of us perfectly decided on what
the American course must be if it is not
disposed of. But a peaceful solution,
squaring with American rights, is the
thing desired by the whole nation.