The Washington times., 1915-05-15

tion. The Presidents Note" Herman
Ridder. editor of the Stats Zeitung.
says today:
The attitude assumed by the Presi-
dent. in the note delivered yesterday TO
the German government. toward the
INFRINGEMENT of our rights on the seas
Is diplomaticaly correct and must COM
rel the support of the entire American
people.
we have suffered grieviously at the
hands Of more than one of the belliger-
ent nations, but for the moment we are
dealing only with Germany. The note
recites series Of events which the Gov
eminent OF the United States could not
silently pass by. and demands repara-
ton for American lives lost and Ameri-
can property already destroyed and n
guarantee that the rights of the Unitoi
states and its ciizens shall be observed
in the future. All this the German eov-
ernment may well grant. frankly and
unreservedly and without loss OF honor
or prestige. 1t would be incomprehen-
sible II 1t did not do so.
Two Interpret ations.
'"rhe note admits, as most diplo-
matte documents do, Of two interpre-
tations. They will be applied to It
variously. as the reader Is inclined to
pcssimism or TO optimism. It Is a
document in which lies the choice OF
war or peace evenly balanced. I
prefer to read into II all the optim-
ism which can be derived from the
knowledge that two nations. historic
ally like-minded and bound to one
another by strong ties OF friendship,
seldom go to war over matters which
can be settled without resort to the
arhirHm"nt Iost,nm OF arms, arms There Is no
the United States and Germany
which cannot be settled through dip
lomatic channels. | am inclined all
the moro to this optimism by the
President. Of the United States fur
tho time being
Il see III the note great possibilities
for good. The undersea activities Of
the rights OF the United States and
its citizens form. properly the burden
OF it's argument. We are addressing
Germany. and 1t is only over her sub
clashed with hers. The note takes
coeniXance however, OF the inter-re-
lntinn of Germanys submar arine policy
and the British policy of Starving
out Germany
Aid May Be Asked.
"Thc President has opened an avenue
to the full discussion OF the rights and
obligations of submarines In naval war
fare. and when Germany has stated her
case it is not only not impossible but 1t
is highly probable that he will be asked
to suggest a modus vivendi by which
the Objectionable features of both these
policies may be removed.
The situation is basically triangular,
and 1t is difficult to see how the settle
ment of our difficulties with Germany
can escape involving at the same time
the rectihcation of Great Britain's meth
DDS OF dealing with the trade between
neutral countries and her adversar.es.
1t Ia but a step from the position OF
mediator in question of this sort to
that OF mediator in the larger ques-
tions which make for war or peace.
believe that the note contains the hope
full sign that these things may come to
pass"
The Staats-zeitung also says today:
THE times are grave-even very
grave. A conflict between America
and the old Fatherland is threatening.
Such a conflict must rend the heart
Of every German American who has
acquired the rights OF citizenship here,
who has founded a new career for
himself and brought up his children.
1T is probably unnecessary to give
any advice to the American citizens
among our readers In regard to their
conduct in this grave time. a series
OF years must pass before an immi-
grant can obtain his citizenship pa
pers; nobody is forced to become u
citizen. or the man who mas voluntar-
ily become citizen of the United
states. we may therefore expect that
he knows the conditions mere obtain
ing. the institutions of the country OF
his adoption, as we'll as his rights and
duties.
"But there are thousands upon thou
sands OF our readers who are not citi.
zpns and to them serious word OF
advice shall now be addressed. In the
grave time OF the conflict let efforts
be made to avoid evory personal con
fIiCt. Ii Is not necessary to deny one s
descent. but 1t IL not necessary. either
to make demonstrations.
where there Is life there is hope
Tho hope still Is entertained that the
conflict viii he eliminated. that the bono
OF friendship between Germany ant
America VIII not be torn. Through
thouehticss ho.spu"s, who allow them,
sclves to he carried away by excitement
and do not dam UP the food of theiI
cIoGucncc. much mischief can be done
Keeping away from the public places
where excited groups congregate anG