Evening journal., 1915-06-12
The Third Note TO Germany
CFrom the New York SUM-

have warned neutral ships TO keep
away. This 60, ernment has already
taken occasion 10 inform the Imperial
German Government that II cannot
admit the adoption II such measures
or such a warning of danger to oper-
ate as in any degree an abbreviatiOn
of the rights of American shipmas
/ ters or of American citizens bound
on lawful errands as passengers on
merchant ships of belligerent nation
atty: and that il must hold the I'm
perial German Government to a strict
accountability for any infringement
of those rights intentional or inciden-
| tal.-Bryan.'
American citizens act within their.
indisputable rights in taking these
ships and in travelling wherever their
legitimate business calls them upon
the high seas, and exercise those
rights in what should be the we'll
justified confidence that their lives
will not be endangered by acts done
in clear violation of universally ack-
nowledged international obligations,
and certainly in the confidence that
their own government will sustain
them in the exercise of their rights.
Bryan"
"No warning that an unlawful and
inhumane act will be committed can
possibly be accepted as an excuse or
palliation for that act or as an abate-
ment of the responsibility for its
commission.-Bry
The Imperial German Government
will not expect the Government of the
United States to omit any word or act
necessary TO the performance of its
sacred duty of maintaining the rights
of the United States and its citizens
and of safeguarding their free exercise
and enjoyment Bryan"
This clear definition of the position,
3 the rights and the expectations of
b the United States was accepted and
2 finally adopted by Secretary Bryan's
= conscience and signed by him with his
I own right hand. We make no apology
p for the length of the foregoing ex-
s cerpts. for they convey the only an
swer that is needed to Mr.. Bryan's
first statement, to his second state
n ment published this morning, and tC
n any other statement that the unlimit
e ed volubility of his genius may SEE
d ht hereafter to PROFOUND. The presen
d note dictated by President Wilson
o and signed by the Secretary of STATE
S ad interim leaves Mr.. Bryan in a pos
e ition as foolish and harmless for evi
o as II is possible TO conceive in thu
d case of a statesman Of serious pre-
n tensions before the eyes of the world
r Let us dismiss Mr.. William J.
Bryan to the preposterous fate 70
which his congenital qualities prede
stined him and which the merciles
d pages of history have until now KEEP
l. open for his coming.
e Turning to the more important as
ID poets of the correspondence with Ger
n many It will be observed that Presi
'e dent Wilson and his loyal counsellor
r have made the only logical reply pos
h, sible to the note addressed TO ou
s. government on May 2S by the Germa
C. Minister for Foreign Affairs. That re
- ply was regarded by some American
as inconclusive and non-respunsivl
of AS The Sun suggested at the TIM
r. Dr. Won Jagow's answer was perfect
to responsive. II was inconclusive onl
re for the simple and sufficient reaso
as that il was avowedly tentative, r.
serving a final statement of the Gel
h man position until Washington wa
le heard from with regard to certai
tn questions Of fact. principally the fac
al about the alleged armament of II
r. Lusitanla. Now the Lansing note r.
e moves this question from controvers,
that is, unless Germany sees ft
r. impugn the good faith and veracii
RI of our government In temperate lal
ch guage, but with unmitigated firmneI
nd of purpose, Il adheres in every pa
81 ticular 10 the position previously tai
er en- with regard TO the neutral righ
,st of American citizens on the high sea
e- II still leaves the way open e. tn
he honorable and peaceful settlement
r. the question at issue which every SCI
a sible American and every reasonab
to German must alike desire: and il pu
It. the responsibility Of final decision
to the continuance of friendly rel
tions which the decision properly b
ed longs: that is. with Germany.
m More than ever patriotic America
ar- must admire the constructive SIX
* and dialetic ability with which the
he Representative. the administration
pit President Wilson, has marshall
TO the precepts OF law and the forces
roe moral sentiment for the convincing
Ich a great and hitherto always fried
IDS Power that justice is with us and th
IA the right course is Germany's be
ley course.