The Waxahachie daily light. [volume] (Waxahachie, Tex.) 1894-current, 1916-04-19

month by month until now tine toll
mounts into the hundreds.
'One of the latest and most
shocking instances of this method
of submarine warfare was that OF
the destruction of the French cross
channel steamer Sussex. IL must
stand forth as the sinking of the
Lusitania as a singular tragical and
unjustifibie example of truly and
terrible submarine warfare.
IF this instance stood alone some
explanation. some disavowal, some
wilful excuse on the part of the COM
mander that fired the torpedo might
be sought. but unhappily IL does not
stand alone. Recent events make
it conclusive that il was only one of
numerous incidents where the disas-
trous spirit of submarine warfare by
the imperial government of Germany
was wontonly adopted.
THE government of the United
States has been patient. IL has ac-
ted ON the assumption that Ger
many's assurances were given in
good faith and had hoped that IL
would be possible for the German
government to conform its submarine
campaign to the policies of the rights
of humanity. This government has
been willing to wait for some signif-
icant fact that would become un-
mistakabiy susceptible Of but one
Interpretation. That point has been
reached. The facts are susceptible
to only one Interpretation. The Ger
man government has been unable to
mt any limits or restraints on its
warfare against freight and passen-
ger carrying ships. IL has become
evident that the position this gov
enment took at the outset Is inevi-
table, namely, the use of submarines
for the destruction of enemy COM
merce, II of necessity, because of the
very character of the vessel employ
ed and the very method which their
employment involves the incompati-
bic rights of the principles Of hu-
manity, the long established rights
of ueutrals and the sacred immunity
of non-combatants.
IL have deemed IL my duty to say
to the German government that II
il is still its purpose To prosecute
this warfare against vessels of com
norce by the use of submarines, not
vithstanding il has now demonstrate
ed the impossibility to conduct such
warfare according to what the gov
ernmeut of the United states consid-
ers sacred and indisputabit rights OF
the rules OF international law, the
Government of the United States II at
last forced to the conclusion that
there is hut one course to pursue,
unless the imperial German govern
mem. should now Immediately declare
i, effect the abandonment OF its
present methods OF warfare against
messenger and freight-carrying ships,
this government can have no other
choice but to sever diplomatic reia-
tions with the German empire alto
petber. This decision ! arrived at
with keenest regret. The possibility
of contemplated action l hope VIII
most with the approval OF all
thouchtfuI Americans. With due re-
card 20 our own rights deem il my
duty a a representative OF the rights
- all neutrals the world over To take
this stand now and with the utmost
solemnity and calmness. have TAX
en- IL and have taken IL with the con-
,dence that il will meet with your
.nproyal and support"
The presidents speech was deii'-
e,.d amid awe inspiring silence
Nrs. Wilson arrived early and fif-