The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1916-05-07

cofnmanders 10 exercise the right OF
visit and search both within and with
out the war zone, to save human life
before sinking a ship, and TO give
fair warning unless a vessel shows
signs OF resisting or attempting TO
escape. Very. good. il the declara-
item stopped there. But the kaiser
goes on to say that the United States
must. in return for this concession
by the German government. compel
England to observe the rules Of in
ternatiohal law"
THE German government is conf
dent" says the reply, "that in con
sequence of the new orders issued to
the naval forces, the government Of
the United States will also now con-
slider all impediments removed which
may have been In the way OF mutual
cooperation toward restoration of the
freedom of the seas during the war
and It does not doubt that the govern
siieft or the United States will now de-
fhand and insist that the British gov
eminent shall forthwith observe the
rules OF the International law univer-
sally recognized before the was as
are laid down in the notes presented
to the British government December
20, 1914, and November 5, 1915"
We question the sincerely OF the
German government when it says II
dees not doubt that the United States
will demand that England raise her
blockade Of uermany's ports. which
is in substance what Germany desires
the United States to do. Germany's
reply bristles with sarcasm and irony.
II Germany believed the United States
would force England TO relineuish her
on the Central powers,
she would not have added: SHOULD
steps taken by the government of the
United States not attain the object It
desires to have the laws of humanity
by all belligerent nations,
the German government wonld then be
facing new situation in which it
must reserve to itself complete liber-
~ of decision"
This last paragraph destroys what
ever good impression any part OF the
reply might have made upon the Amer.
iean public. 1t simply means that
Germany is willing to discontinue her
attacks upon helpless merchant ships
for period to give America a chance
to force England into the hands OF
Englands enemies. II is bluff of the
worst and most detestable character
A desperate informs the high sheriff
that he will stop his depredations il
the sheriff will deliver into his hands
a large amount of booty Germany
has little respect for America or any.
thing American.
AS whole the German note is a
nice grand-stand play to the German
people and we can almost hear, even
at this distance the cloud applause
i'm the gallery" Nobody is fooled
by the German note except Germany
herself, The American government
may accept ii and let the matter rest
until some future act precipitates
the crisis which seems inevitable.
There can be no harm done by the
administration in accepting the note.
especially as the German submarines
are now inactive so far as ships from
this country are concerned. But, il
Germany expects America to act as
a eats paw for her, then she is indeed
more foolish than anybody ever dream
ed.
Whatever action President Wilson
and his advisors decide upon they may
est assured that the country will back
up their Judgment, even to the extent
of taking the trenches.
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