The Washington herald., 1915-08-26
One Way to Avert a Break.

Rejoicing over the prospect that the outcome oi
Ambassador Bernstorff's dispatch to The State
Department will be the averting of severance OF
friendly relations with Germany seems premature
and a confession of undue eagerncss to grasp
at even a slender excuse to recede, distance at
least from the admirably firm and just position
assumed by our government in its last communi-
cation TO Berlin on the subject Of the sinking OF
the Lusitania 1t must ,bc perfectly clear by this
time that friendly relations be maintained only
the result of the backing down of Germany or
the backing down OF the United States. The United
States cannot recede without sacrificing its rights
and its honor. Germany recede by applying
the principles Of humanity and civilization TO its
naval warfare.
The attitude of the United States has been
made plain beyond any possibility OF misunder-
standing When the Lusitana was torpcdoed IL
Americans murdered and Gcrmanys re-
sponse to this governments demand for reparation
and a pledge that American lives should not be
similarly sacrificed jcopardzcd in future was
a point blank refusal, coupled with proposal of
certain impossible conditions under which Ameri-
cans might travel the in safety. Whereupon
our government in measured words warned Ger
niany that another attack a merchant ship, con-
trary to international law and the laws OF civili-
zation, which inperiled the lives of Americas,
would be regarded as deliberately unfricndy"
act.
Proof is ample that the deliberately unfriend-
ly" act committed when the Arabic was sunk,
two Americans killed and the lives of many others
placed in jeopardy. There is not another word for
this government to say; it is its duty to act, when
all the facts arc officially attcstcd to the satsfac
ton OF President Wilson and his advisers. Ambas-
I,,z I,I Ia
deferred until Germany can be heard from 4
course already determined on before his message
was received in Washington. This message con-
tains nothing in itself that prevent action i'll
response to a hostile act committed against this
nation Any expectation that friendly relations are
to be continued must necessarily be based on what
will follow from Berlin. Unless the United States
is to reccdc unless it is willing to pocket dcbcr-
ate defiance OF the terms OF its of July and
be satisfied hcnceforth with less than therein
rghtcously demanded there is but one course to be
taken to maintain friendly relations. and that
course must be taken by Germany. Germany must
affirm and satisfy the United States that the
friendly act tho sinking OF the Arabic, not her
act, but the unauthorized and unwarrantcd act of
naval officer, for which she must disclaim respon-
sibility; and this while the German newspapers
are glorifying the deed. Germany must further
give assurances that she will in future abide by
the terms OF note OF July Fl, and then there
must be no other and similar unauthorized and
attacks by submarine commanders,
because Germany would be unable to cyade
sponsibility for them.
Quite obviously all this would amount to
complete backdown by Germany, but surely the
government and people of the United States cam
not accept less and maintain their rights their
lonor and their dignity Any one who believes
he crisis has been avcrtcd must believe that Ger
many is prepared to accept these conditions.
They should be well weighed in the midst OF the
cjoicing 1t should be borne in mind, too, that
uch agreement is not likely TO be brought about
" diplomatic negotiations further prolonged.
The American people will not patiently contem
,late further exchange. and they have every
light to expect that if friendly understanding
) to be reached, il will through prompt
md unrescrvcd proffer from Berlin.