The Johnson City comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1916-1917, 1916-02-17
THE PRESIDENT is RIGHT

The diplomatic controversy be-
tween the United States and Germany
over the sinking of the Lusitania and
the consequent loss of many Ameri-
can lives is at last settled.
In the outset the President de-
manded that Germany disavow the
act of its submarine commander and
give assurance that there would be
no repetition of such unjustifled at
lacks on unarmed belligerent mer-
chantmen and make reparation for
the American lives lost. In reply
Germany agreed to make reparation
but pointed out that it could not hon
orally disavow the act of its com
mander for the reason that he mere
ly carried out his instructions. The
President then demanded a declara
ton that the killing of the Americans
was an illegal act.
Germany has finally agreed to a
statement that the sinking of the
Lusitania was not intended for the
reason that reprisal should not be
applied to neutrals; that it has aban-
doned submarine reprisals upon Eng
land out of Difference to a desire to
continue friendly relations with the
American people; that it will not at
tack liners without warning and pro-
vision for safety of passengers; and
that it will pay an indemnity for the
American lives lost on the Lusitania.
The President has wisely discrimi-
mated between the essential and the
non-essential and has accepted this
apology and agreement as substan-
tial compliance with the demands of
the United States; for while the ne
gotiations have been skillfully han
died by the German Chancellery the
fact remains that the United States
has, at least in substance, gained ev-
cry material point of contention; and
Germany has been driven into po-
sition where it is precluded from re-
Stunning it's former method of attack
on unarmed merchantmen as effectu-
ally as If the illegality of the former
act were admitted in so many words.
Diplomacy is something more than
making a demand and refusing to
yield anything regardless of develop
ments or of probable results. Other
wise it would amount to no more
than the presentation of an ultimat-
UNI. For Germany to have allowed
itself to be driven into a disavowal
of the act of it's officer who was only
obeying orders would have been an
act of perfidy toward him. The rea-
sonableness of this contention the
President seems to have recognized.
German diplomats are too shrewd
to regard the outcome as victory
for Germany; and it has been les
sen to that proud nation which, at
the outset, boosted that it would give
account for it's acts to no one. 1t has
just finished an accounting to thn
United States with the result that it
has lost the most effective feature of
its submarine warfare on British
commerce-the right to strike with
out warning and to retreat quickly.
We do not share the apprehension
of some that the settlement of the
dispute will mark a resumption of
the former practice. Germany knows
that this would mean trouble with
the United States from the outset.
That is the last thing she is looking
for, as is demonstrated by the incl
dent just closed. Whatever hopes of |
future revenge Germany may cherish |
1t is not anxious to add to its present |
list of enemies the United States with
its unlimited resources of men and
money.
The President did well not to press
the technical point. Germany is a
brave nation, whatever we may think
of it's policies. Had it become con-
WINGED that its honor was involved
in the issue it might have refused to
recede further. What then?
Let us take every precaution to
protect the lives and property of our
people. Let us defend our honor at
any cost. But when we jeopardize
the peace with which we are blessed
it should be for something more
than an empty husk from which the
meat has been already yielded
WOMAN SUFFRAGE BY