Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1916-04-28
THE GERMAN SITUATION,

Germanv's answer to the emphatic statement
made by this country last week is still in doubt as
this comment is written but press reports Of both
German and Austrian origin and dispatches from
Ambassador Gerard indicate that that nation
seeks to avoid the break in diplomatic relations
which President Wilson said must inevitably fol-
low the continuance of its submarine campaign
as it has been carried on in the past The prospect
that Germany. at last realizing that the United
States, after showing the greatest patience, will
brook further parleys will acquiesce as grace
fully as it can, avoiding any diplomatic rupture
and the possibilities such situation would entail,
is very hopeful.
We sincerely hope that such will be the out
come. The American people do not want war, if
war can be prevented and the honor of the nation
fully maintained. Wilson does not want war--he
has strived for two years to avoid it-and Ger
many processes the same desires. But assurances
given the United States have not been kept,
trail as well as belligerent ships have been de-
stroyed in violation of international law, many
Americans and other neutrals killed, and these
things must stop, for the sake OF humanity, even
if by demanding that they shall stop the United
States be drawn into the European war;
The whole nation stands squarely behind Pres
ident Wilson Not a.newspaper in the country,
except German, has protested; not debate or
formal speech has been made in congress contrary
to the president s policy. That is most remark
able feature of the situation, the unanimity with
which the president 8 action has been received,
unanimity which should convince Germany, re-
gardless Of what impressions it may have pre-
viously gained that the United States is in deadly
earnest. ssf.i.
The only suggestion of criticism INDUCED in by
even the newspapers partisanly opposed to the
national administration, is that the president has
been too patient. To us his patience is mark of
commentator rather than criticism and SO are
these suggestions, for the case against Germany
Is far stronger now than it was year ago, the
case upon which the United States bases it's de-
mands in behalf Of humanity. A year ago the
United States stood practically alone among neu-
trails in opposition to Germany's submarine pol.
ICY; today each neutral nation joins in spirit with
aus in our final warning-we are acting for all the
neutral world So our assertion that we speak
for humanity is founded in fact and history will
80 write it.
bear IN mind always that since the first dis
agreement between the United States and Germany
over the sinking of the Lusitania, Germany has
given the United States assurances that it would
conduct its submarine campaign in accordance
with the requests of this nation, and that this
threatened break comes because those assurances
the United States believes, have not been kept
President Wilson had every reason to believe they
would be kept when they made to believe
the German nation would, in other words keep
its word, and that constitutes sufficient answer
to any charges that his foreign policy has been
weak, that the present crisis has been due to re-
pnted lack of forcefulness his part.
The United States has said it's say and will stand
pat the outcome rests in Germanys hands.