Semi-weekly herald., 1916-02-03
TINE PRESIDENT AND
HIS FOREIGN DIPLOMACY

1t is interesting to read the vari-
GUS comments on the handling of
affairs by the present administration
in connection with foreign affairs.
In regard TO the Mexican atrocities
there is very little difference Of opin-
ion expressed, Democrats and Re
publicans, as whole, condemning the
watchful waiting policy while hun
dreds of Americans have been am
bushed and slain without provocation
1t is quite evident, also, that most
Of the larger dsiiies Of the east do
not see much to commend in the
handling of European questions.
Diplomats. legislators. correspond
ents, editors, may declare themselves
Satisfied with such settlement
with Germany as that announced; but,
insists the Chicago Evening Post, 'al
most nothing has been accomplished.
Above everything, we are told the
American people wanted an admis-
sion Of the immortality of the Lusi-
tania crime"
"They wanted an admission of its
immortality. they wanted the stern
punishment of the submarine COM
mander, and they wanted what is
automatically known as r disavowal.
They apparently get none of these
things.
Secondly, they wanted the stop
page Of torpedoing of passenger lin
ers. They have not received that.
After the sinking of the Arabic they
got a promise that these outrages
would be stopped. That promise was
broken. Now they get but another
promise, with no guarantees provided
and several convenient methods of
evasion.
Thirdly, altho far less passionately,
eur people wanted a money indem-
nifty, in SO far as there could be one,
for the loss Of life. This, apparently,
is promised. Whether the promise
will be kept or whether it will be
strangled by red tape negotiations
remains to be seen. But it is q real
instead of paper concession, it should
not be undervalued. Money to the
families of bread winners destroyed on
the Lusitania is 4 very real step in
practical reparation.
Because she wants to keep out of
the war America may-and probably
will-accept this half settlement of
the case.
ITO make an ignoble compromise
in order to keep out of war is
practical act that can have prac-
teal justification. The nobility of
maintaining peace may balance the
ignobility of not fighting for our
dead. But if we close the Lustania
incident with pretense that it was
just, we deaden our moral sense and
dull our spiritual insight for the years
that are to come"
Similarly the New York Tribune
can give President Wilson no credit
for a diplomatic triumph because
Germany and Austria decided to give
up a submarine campaign which had
ceased to be profitable. In its opn-
ion
"He has not defended American
rights or international law. He has
done nothing but write notes about
these things and wait to see if the
Germans and the Austrians might not,
for some reason of their own, give up
their murderous practises.
I'VE have SO far kept out of the
war. Mr.. Wilson may justly claim
full credit for this. But we have de-
Tended nothing, we have meant to de
fend nothing, and nothing that we
have done could in any way defend
anything. We have clamored for
another scrap of paper when all
the world was fighting because the
faith and honor that scraps of paper
once represented have been set aside
BY strong, selfish, brutal nation.
Is not this a bitter mockery?"
Now that Germany has yielded to
our demands to do right" says the
Washington Post (lnd.), confident
that it speaks for the vast majority
of the people of the United States,
the allies should at once be com
PEELED to either recognize our rights
or be regarded as hostile to our coun-
try" Now, it insists. President Will
Son "can give his undivided attention
to bringing the allies to sense of
their proper respect for international
law and the rights of this republic
and its people," The Boston Tran
script (Rep.), hears-and speakers in
both houses of congress have urged
such move-that the administration
will now tuvu it's atteption 70 Rr;t;sh