New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-20

somewhat more fully, when he de-
Even now. it is fitting that we
should at this late hour insist upon
redress, and we should break with
Germany if she does Tot make IT,.
rupture Of relations is better than
dishonoring negotiations. war sprei-
cradle TO disloyal neutrality
Continuing, Professor Stowell said;
"The German government threat
ened. after February lS, 1915, 20 SINK
messenger liners within 4 speclhed
zone. President Wilson replied with
his strict accountability note.
Warning Ignored by Germany.
Germany Notwithstanding perpe,,
.rated her retaliation upon the United
States by the brutal sinking OF the
Lusitania Any self-respecting gov
eminent would Instantly have declared
war on Germany, or at least nave
broken off all friendly intercourse.
"If we had done so, every American;
hyphenated or not, would nave sVooo
hack of our President. Instead, we en-
tered upon long drawn out negotia-
ton without apparent plan. as 1t was
without effect or without honor, until
no one could understand where We
stood.
~ know Of no instance in history
where q great power has submitted TO
such an injury. aggravated as II was
by the deliberate disregard OF our
warning
at is sad to feel in this supreme mo-
ment that we cannot lay claim TO the .
heroic past which BELTS the sons OF our
fathers
Frederic r. Coudert, authority on IN !
ternational law said:
ain the early days Of the republic /
diplomatic relations were upon TWO oc
casions suspended with France. AT
later times diplomatic relations nave
been suspended between Brazil and the
United States. as well as between Mex.
leo and the United States. In none OF
these cases did war follow.
when diplomatic relations are sew
cred a nation must face the strong
PROBABILITY of war National feelings
are strongly aroused. luminosity is en-
| c,ndered. the usual conduits OF inter-
| national intercourse cease to junction,
anf thus there is great probability OF
| armed conflict
} Mere suspension of diplomatic in
. t-rcourse does not suspend the func-
= lions of consuls or commercial rela-
- tions. which, in theory at least, might
continue as heretofore The effect is
primarily moral. In this particular
case the effect would be worldwide.
The only great nation remaining neu-
, trail would have declared Germany an
outlaw nation. and she would find her
l. self and her Austrian and Turkish al
lies standing utterly condemned At the
- bar Of civilization and world opinion.
70 Certainly there has never been such
an international arraignmet since then
e world began. and personally | believe
that our attitude will result in ~
J. terIally shortening the war. Assum-
ing. az appears probable, that Ger
g many will not cease her submarine
warfare. she will find herself in a
" world completely hostile.
Il 1.-THE smaller countries now hesitant,
but whose action may be OF the ut
e most importance-Ru mania, Greece,
= Holland-will undoubtedly be in
huenced by the attitude Of the United
: States TO declare themselves. Il will
j.. appear evident to them that Germany
and her two allies cannot confront the
u world in arms.
again. the better sentiment among
- the German people will then realize
L that the course Of her military autoc-
racy from the dag of the invasion OF
l. Belgium has placed Prussian militarism
in conflict with modern civilization,
g and this presence of home opinion,
l. added to the exterior pressure of prac-
tically the whole world, should lead to
8 a speedy peace"
L. Henry Bruere, City Chamberlain:
10 1.-THE Presidents message TO Con-
II gress is in the nature Of n warning to
the country that we are on the verge
ie of great national crisis. At such a
C time il is imperative that no patriotic
citizen do or say anything to increase
the difficulty of averting breach Of
relations between this country and
Germany.
Relies on Wilson and Congress.
h "No one wants the situation TO de-
g velop into hostilities or an approach to
- hostilites The more We feel that the
II President is justified. the more we are
obligated 10 rely on the sanity and re-
straint which the President and Con-
G. gress undoubtedly exercise az this
. time.
III without tho complete information
l. which the President possesses, and
which he will undoubtedly make public
u ut the proper time | regard it the duty
% of every good American to keep his
mind Gear OF rash conclusions, so that
Is he may be able to think in terms OF
", the highest welfare OF the nation when
l. the time comes, If il does come. for
" him to reach final judgment.
Ir "Whateyer decision is finally reached
IL must be The nations decision and
u must be based on all the facts"
IS Oscar s. Straus, chairman Of the
Public Service Commission:
"The position taken by Mr.. Wilson
= in his note 70 Germany is certainly
justified by the principles Of interna-
e tional law. and the obligations OF a
great neutral nation TO protect its cit
liens on the high seas in times Of war.
Wilson Justified, Says otraus.
r. at is to be earnestly hoped that the
German government will fully aId
r deeply appreciate the seriousness Of the
ID, situation, which now confronts both
that country and this one
{, Chauncey ". Depew, former United