New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-09

Criticises Bcrnstorff.
The attitude Of such persons in our
midst as Count Bernstorf. his attache,
Major Won Pappen, DR.. Dernburg and
other subjects and servants 70 the Ger
man Emperor can be understood. AS
between this country and Germany,
they are for Germany. But what sha'!
be said Of the reported utteranees OF
Charles Nagel. not only citizen OF the
United States but one who occupied
Cabinet position under the preceding
administration; Of Victor F. kldder.
treasurer Of the Stats Leitung, anu
other so-called German Americans.
iustifying the killing in cold oiood OF
more than one hundred peaceful amer
leans? In the United States OF Amer
lea the pconle are sovereign.
YESTERDAY afternoon the sovereign
American people consisted OF lee pas
scngers on board the Lusitanla ana
about 100000 600 others elsewhere en-
titled 10 the same rights which those
on the LuSltanla were exercising
Those who have taken sworn allegiance
to the United States Of America and
now attack those rights and seek 10
uphold their violation are endeavoring
to deprive every American citizen OF
what is rightly his; hence, are engaged
in REASONABLE activities against their
sovereign, the American people.
In the meanwhile II is not too soon
for the executive branch Of the Federal
government. under authority expressly
conferred by Congress, 10 break up the
system Of espionage and other con
spiracies against our neutrality which
Germany IS maintaining on our terri
tory and which may at any time be
used for purposes Of sabotage against
our military establishment, as 1t has
heretofore been used 70 burn or bio"
UP factories and ships and also TO at
tempt the destruction Of an lnterna-
t!onal bridge
Oscar S Straus refused TO discuss
the issue the sinking of the LusltGnia
raised between the United States ana
Germany. His remarks, however, left
no doubt that he considered the inter-
national situation very grave.
The incident" he said, puts ire
mendous strain on our neutrality.
Further than that I can say nothing
at this time"
Paul Fuller, q specialist n interna-
tional law, who was sent by Secretary
of the United States TO promote peace
between Villa and Carranza, said that
the sinking Of the Lusitania is com
plete Justification FOR war. For prec-
edent he referred 70 the case of the
Barbary pirates, whom all nations
united T. suppress q century ago.
Could Seize Interned Ships.
In speaking Of the official warning
issued By the German Embassy the day
the Lusitania sailed. he said II in no
manner lessened the justification OF the
United States for war 1T aggravates
the offence immeasurably," he said, "be-
cause i shows g studied delIberatlon
20 resort 10 terrorism officially pro-
claimed by the German Empire, and
cuts off possibility Of repudiating
the action Of the submarine command
ers."
The form Of redress is a subject for
the most deliberate consideration for
the next few weeks, according TO Mr.
Fuller.
shall the United States confscate
the numerous vessels of German ma
tionality now interned in our har-
bors p" he queried "If that redress is
not sufficient, shall the German ships
be manned and sent out 10 Counteract
the work of the German cruisers, sup
plementing the work Of the American
battleships?
But we must determine our acts
with the most careful deljberation," he
continued. at is a mistake to charge
Washington with neglect and somno-
lence. When the time comes Washing
ton will act
Crimmins Blames British.
John D. Crimmins, who has crossed
the Atlantic many times in the largest
steamships Of various lines. speaking
Of the Lusitania disaster, said yester-
day:
at is a most deplorable disaster
this deliberate destruction of human
life and Of a splendid vessel. It never
/ should have happened, and the British
Admiralty is TO blame for il. There is
10 question about II. II was their duty
10 protect the passengers being carried
by this ship, flying the British flag
Neither are the ships officers free from
blame, il seems 20 me.
IF the weather had been thick or the
/ water rough there might have been
I some excuse for not spotting the sub
marines, but what excuse can there be
under the conditions reported of clear
weather. broad daylight and smooth
water, If d proper lookout was kept
from aloft and the bridge? Too much
! dependence was placed on the speed Of
the ship and its ability to escape for
that reason. In other words, the cap
tain and the owners Of the Lusitania
/ knowing Of the raids by submarines
assumed a risk that, 70 say the least
was injudicious.
During my fishing trips in Florida
every year the fishermen have fire.
ouently told me that they can detect
. the approach Of a big FISH two or three
miles away in smooth water by the
ripples, and IL seems to me that n sub.
marine should be as easy 10 locate as 9
FISH.
Regarding the passengers them
selves" continued Mr.. Crimmins. every
one regrets the great loss Of life, and
we all extend our heartfelt sympathy
20 the bereaved ones, but il must be
admitted that they assumed what, in
some cases az least, must have been a
needless risk after the extra warning
they received just before sailing"
Henry J. Duveen, Of the art firm OF
Duveen Brothers, a constant traveller
between this city, London and Paris
said:
at was murder, nothing more nor
less. and should be dealt with accord
ingly. was TO have made my regular
trip across In the Lusitania in June
hut ] shall not 90 at all until the war
ia over