The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1916-03-28
9ed Ree/s

kaC OllOopOnbChNC ohih thN
allied defense against German subma-
rine warfare made it Improbable and
led to its abandonment, and the cor
respondence is apparently approaching
its end without securing even that par
tial protection for the future which
might be found in an admission that
the destruction Of the Lusitania was
forbidden by law. The later CORE
spondence has been conducted by u
state department with dignity, but it
has been futile. An admission of liza
bility for damages has been secured.
but the time for real protection to
American rights has long since passed.
The brave words with which we be-
gan the controversy had produced no
effect, because they were read in the
light Of two extraordinary events.
One was the report of the Austrian
ambassador, Mr.. Dumba. to his gov
eminent that when the American note
Of Feb. 10 was received he asked the
secretary of state. Mr.. Bryan. whether
1t meant business and received an an
swer which satisfied him that it did
not, but was intended for effect at
home in America.
TOO Proud to Fight"
The other event was the strange and
unfortunate declaration of the presi-
dent in a public speech in Philadelphia
the fourth day after the sinking Of
the Lusitania that "a man may be too
proud to fight" Whatever the Aus
TRAN ambassador was in fact told by
the secretary of state, the impression
which he reported vas supported by
the events which followed. Whatever
the president did mean, his declaration,
made in public at that solemn time,
amid the horror and mourning of all
our people over the murder Of their
children, was accepted the world over
as presenting the attitude of the Amer
lean government toward the protection
Of the life and liberty of American
citizens in the exercise of their just
rights, and throughout the world the
phrase "too proud to fight" became a
byword Of derision and contempt for
the government of the United States.
Later, in another theater OF war-the
Observation-Disclosures. n perhaps
Turkey also, resumed the practice.
The Ancona and then the Persia were
destroyed, and more Americans were
killed. Why should they not resume
the practice? They had learned to be-
lieve that, no matter how shocked the
American government might be. its
resolution would expend itself in
words. They had learned to believe
that it was safe to kill Americans, and
the world believed with them.
Shaking Fist and Finger.
No man should draw a pistol VINO
dares not shoot. The government that
shakes it's fist first and it's finger after
ward falls into contempt. Our diplo-
macy has lost it's authority and infu-
ence because we have been brave in
words and irresolute in action. Men
may say that the words of our diplo-
matte notes were justified; men may
say that our inaction was justified. but
no man can say that both were wise
and creditable.
/ have said that this government lost
the moral forces of the world by moi
truly interpreting the spirit of the
American democracy.
The American democracy stands for
more than beef and cotton
and grain and manufactures; stand
for something that cannot be measured
by rates of exchange and does not rise
or fall with the balance of trade. The
American people, informed by their
W experience that is confirmed by
their observation of international life.
have come to see that the independence
Of nations, the liberty of their peoples.
Justice and humanity cannot be main
tanned upon the complaisance, the good
the kindly feeling of the strong
the weak; that real ~1ndepend-
ence, real liberty. cannot rest upon suf-
ferance; that peace and liberty can be
preserved only by the authority and
observance of rules of national con-
duct founded upon the principles OF
and humanity; only by the es-
adjustment of law among nations. re-
sponsive to the enlightened public op1n-
ion of mankind. To them liberty
means not liberty for themselves alone,
but for all who are oppressed. Justice
means not justice for themselves
alone. but a shield for all who are
weak against the aggression OF the
trong.
To this people the invasion OF Bel
FUN brought a shock of amazement
nd horror. If the public opinion or the
world was to remain silent upon that.
Ieutral upon that. her all talk about
eace and justice and international law
the rights of a the progress OF
lumanity and the spread of liberty is
de patter, mere weak sentimentality:
hen opinion is powerless and brute
orce rules and will rule the world. If
o difference is recognized between
light and wrong then there are no :
loral standards. There come times in z
be lives of nations as Of men when to .
reat wrong as if it were right is trea- :
to the right.
The Wrong Done to Belgium.
The American people were entitled !
OF merely TO feel. but to speak con- {
the wrong done to Belgium.