New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-06
German Note a Triumph
For International Lam
Professor Stowel Thinks Honest Neutrality Bids Us
Accept but He Would Rather We Joined the
Allies Than See Germany Victorious

rupture Of peace between the two gov
Crnments.
"lf our government pursues this wise
and proper course, we should at once
have recourse TO effective measures
TO compel Great Britain TO respect our
rights and for her part TO observe the
rules Of international law which she
has so signally and so persistently ig-
nored. Unless we are ready 60 take
such a course, we ought TO join England
as an honest ally and cease TO be dis
loyal neutral.
Triumph for international Law.
"In the introduction and body Of the
note. leading up to the promise to
which we have referred, Won Jagow
touches upon various other questions,
but they are not material to the points
Mt issue The whole note is triumph
for international law. Germany in the
note recognizes as fully as this coun-
try has ever done that there are fixed
principles of international law govern
ing visit. search and the destruction
of merchant vessels. but she contends
she was forced TO disregard the strict
application Of these rules by way Of
reprisals against Great Britains ne
gal acts. Since Germany, nevertheless,
agrees TO abandon these reprisals'
which she considers legitimate. IT IS
not necessary to discuss the important
question whether the reprisals TO
which she had recourse were reason
able under all the circumstances OF the
case. Now that Germany frankly
agrees TO conform to international
law. the United States is put upon us
honor TO take what reasonable meas
ures we may to secure from the other
side also an adequate recognition oI
our rights.
Until the German question was SET
tied we could not comphcate the issue
by taking any drastic action against
Great Britain, but now IT Is our duty
TO do everything in our power TO secure
the recognition of our rights. unless
we do so il NAV fairly be looked upon
as an unfriendly act against Germany.
Starting out with a frank avowal OF
disregard for international law, when
she invaded Belgium, Germany has
come at last 20 recognize the full I'M
port Of those principles which govern
the conduct Of nations in war as vel
as in peace. Declaring that she at
taches no less Importance 20 the sacred
principles Of humanity than the gov
eminent OF the United States, the
German government declares that It
takes fully into account that both
governments for nany years have CO.
operated I'm developing international
law in conformity with these principles
the ultimate object Of which has al
ways been 10 confine warfare on sea
and land 20 the armed forces Of the
belligerents and 70 safeguard as far ma
possible non-combatants against the
horrors Of war
Prepared to Disavow Sussex Attack.
an regard to the matter of the Sus-
sex the German government probably
admits its mistake and has prepared
the way for a full disavowal and pun
ishment OF those responsible for the
mistake.
"In this connection the German gov
eminent argues that mistakes are in
cyitable and that she cannot be expect
cd to desist from ell use Of subma-
rines because OF an occasional error,
fatal tnOugn 10 De 10 neutrals. ms is
a reasonable attitude for any govern
ment 20 take and should cause no diff
fculty if the American people can trust
the German government 70 employ the
submarine in such a manner that it
will prefer 10 lose some military ad-
vantage to running the risk OF sacri-
fcing hundreds of innocent lives. This
is the whole heart of the question. II
the American government and the
American people feel that the German
rules will not be applied in good faith
the promise to apply the rules will be
of no avail But whatsoever distrust
exists in regard 10 the German gov
eminent, il must be remembered that
the state Of mind which makes the
German government agree 10 the Amer
lean note. practically an ultimatum,
viii be equally effective TO lead her TO
prevent any inconsiderate or inhuman
use Of submarines.
4 Question Of Neutrality.
arr fbo American c-ovoruucut acconfs