New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-11-11
A Second Lusitania?

important fact must be whether Vhe snip
was warned. If it was not, then the Lusi-
tania massacre has been repeated Only
second in Importance is the nationality OF
the submarine. The mere fact that an
Austrian flag was displayed will not serve
to silence the suspicion that the work was
that Of the German submarines known 10
have passed Gibraltar recently and trace
able by their operations in the western
Mediterranean.
Conceivably. then, we have to deal with
a second Lusitania; possibly we have to
deal with Austria, probably with Germany
Yet it is equally just to reckon that the
Ancona was warned and attempted to
escape. In this situation there is nothing
TO do but await the facts.
One thing, however, must spring 10 the
mind of every American. The circum-
stances that are known recall wildly and
painfully the similar circumstances wneh
American women and children were
slaughtered in the Channel-and from
that bour to this Germany has neither
disavowed the act nor agreed to pay In
demnity.
We all know why now. 1t is perfectly
main that the President has never been
ready to press the Lusitania case because
no has found that pressing it might lead
to a German refusal to disavow and thus
shatter the pretty but fragile fabric OF
his great diplomatic triumph in the matter
of the Arabic.
What the real character of that triumph
was is no longer doubtful. When the
British navy had almost extermnated the
submarine pest, when the German Admiral
tv was no longer able to argue the slight
est advantage in further persistence In a
campaign of general massacre, the Ger
man Government consented to disavow a
fragrant act to escape a break in diplo-
matte relations AS long as there was the
slightest possibility of profit for Germany
in wanton murder, in killings that eX-
tended to neutrals, there was no thought
of disavowal.
By sitting tight and uttering high
moral thoughts without any relation to
any contemplated action Mr. wilson
STAYED off the issue until the submarine
campaign had been practically termi-
mated and then took the German dis
avowal in the Arabic case, actually
achieved by British sea power. while an
admiring gallery proclaimed a great
American diplomatic triumph.
But there remained the Lusitania, the
most fragrant and wanton massacre OF
modern times, the greatest outrage OF
one friendly nation upon another IN the
history of civilization. On July q, IN
formal note. Mr.. Wilson had asked a dis
avowal and promise Of indemnity. That
note was not answered and never has
been. And what is most astonishing is
that no second demand has ever been
made for an answer
Patiently Mr.. Wilson has believed that
the American people would permanently
forget their dead; that, satisfied with
technical disavowal in similar instance,
they would find it simpler and more con-
yenient to ignore the men, women and
children who had been flung into the sea
by German officers, acting under the
orders of the German Government. II
such forgetting were TO occur, then MI
Wilson could stand on his great triumph;
he could allege his success in keeping ms
country out Of war and make political
capital thereby.
But suppose an Austrian submarine
ssnk the Ancona without warning; will
Mr.. Wilson follow the Lusitania prece-
dent? Is there any reason why Aus
trians should believe that they could not
do without forcible restraint what the
Germans had done? Is there any reason
why they should not expect 70 treat an
Ancona note as the Germans have treated
the Lusitania note?
A government which shuts its eyes TO
the murder Of It's citizens, whether
permanently expect 10 escape trouble and
exposure. To have permitted the Lusi-
tania massacre 20 stand all these months
has been for Mr.. Wilson Il political blum
der which will in the end ruin him, but
this is small thing compared with the
cost 20 his country now and hereafter IN
life and in honor.
Whatever the circumstances Of the
Ancona, the incident has already served
lie purpose in destroying the last sem
tlance Of verify in the assertion that
Sir. Wilson won diplomatic victory
over Germany honorable 10 his country
and useful 10 all neutrals. lie did noth-
ING Of the Sort. lie capitalized the sue
A. p.;,tab subrnarincg IN the