New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-11
Sussex-or Lusitania?

has been-is about "to be put to a tnal
test This means, evidently, either that
something is to be done or nothing IS TO
be done in the Sussex case.
In every other "crisis" in the develop
ment of the Administration policy of pro-
test against the illegalities and barbara
ties of German submarine warfare
whether something has been done or moth
ing has been done, the outcome has been
exactly the same. Since the Lusitanla
Massacre. in May lastc-in fact, since the
sending of the original "strict accountable
ity" warning of February 10, 19lo-noth-
ing Of any consequence has been accom-
plished in the way of checking German
submarine attacks OH unwarned and IN
resisting merchantmen. Americans law
fully travelling on such merchantmen con-
tinue to be killed and wounded. The Ad-
ministration has not prevented what it an
nounced with much theatricahty "a the
atricality of language only that it would
omit no word or act" TO prevent.
Now. We are told that the Sussex case
is to be made the occasion of final test
Of the sincerity and substantially of the
"strict accountability" and omit no word
or act announcements. The country has
been fooled so often by Mr. Wilson's Wash
ington press agents that it will probably
decline to get excited about the seriousness
Of this new crisis" The latest final
test" is not likely to differ in character
from so many other preceding final tests
The Administration long since became
case-hardened to German outrages on the
nigh seas-to the murder Of American
citizens going about their lawful business.
II has secretly hoped that the American
people would become similarly hardened.
What an anti-climax what a confession
of the bankruptcy of its diplomacy-it
would be TO force break with Germany on
the Sussex incident, after having failed for
over eleven months TO obtain any satisfac-
ton for the Lustana Massacre.
Germany has manGuvred President Viii
son into a position in which he is now
obliged to force an issue looking to the
severance Of diplomatic relations on a DIS
tinctly minor grievance, when he has per
sistently neglected to call Germany TO &C
count for the most shocking international
crime committed since there has been any
thing in existence like international law.
There has been no parallel since the law
of nations was recognized to the massacre
by bellgerent Of the neutral noncom-
batants-men, women and children-who
perished on the Lusitania. The German
government cooly confessed responsibility
for this slaughter, but refused TO admit
the 'illegality" of the crime because 1t
feared to offend those clements in Ger
many which want 70 see submarine war
fare conducted without the slightest con-
cesson 10 either humanity or neutral
rights. No clearer case could ever have
been framed on which to break off diplo-
matte relations. Protestations confined
merely TO letter writing have proved Of no
avail.
The Administration at Washington gave
up letter writing, but did not break off
Diplomatic relations. IL waited, week by
week and month by month, for some newer
insult on which TO make a case against
Germany. But the Germans have learned
something since the Lustania and the
Arabic were torpedoed. They have learned
that il is easier to disavow knowledge Of
anything that happens in the neighbor-
hood of a merchant vessel sent TO the bot
tom than il is 10 admit knowledge and then
argue about the legality Of the sinking and
the extent 70 which an avowal Of wrong
doing should be made.
Berlin has denied any completely in the
sinking of the Sussex Circumstantial evil
dence must therefore be relied upon by our
government in fixing blame on a German
submarine. II Berlin persists in asserting
innocence, the United States will be put
in the attitude Of seeking a quarrel on
case in which there is an absolute dis
agreement as 20 the facts, with some moral
uncertainty, instead Of being drawn into
one in which the facts are not disputed and
the obligation 70 take resolute action IS
supported by every consideration Of jus
tice. as well as Of national honor, prestige
and self-respect.
All the rest Of Germany's offences
against neutral rights by which Americans
have suffered could not, if piled together.
equal IN enormity the crime Of the Lusi-
tania. All our demands for an accounting
from Germany 20 back 20 that. and so
long az full reparation for the Lusitania
Is denied US II is fantastic 10 talk Of tax
ing extreme measures against Germany
on the score Of subsequent and petticr out
RACES.
II there is 70 be break with Berlin le,
It be on the main issue-the only real
issue! Such course may shipwreck the
wilson diplomacy and may make pain
fully conspicuous the ignominy Of policy
Nnicn has LET such an account stand unsct-
lied Tor nicr 0leuct. ,n.n4Ln u, !, ....n