New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-14
GERMANY'S UNRESPONSIVE ANSWER
Little in Il to Encourage or Comfort the
United States.
To the Editor of The Tribune

D
Sir: The more study the German not. N.
more unsatisfactory it is. Germany makes
no promise whatever to the United Ststes
She says that she has given orders to her
naval officers 10 modify submarine warfare.
These orders she reserves the right 10 revoke
at will. She plainly notifies us that she il
in fight for existence. and for the sake Of
neutral interests cannot be expected to re-
strict the use of her submarine weapons 50
lcng as Great Britain's present sea policy
stands. Such demand from US is, she says
incompatible with the character of neutrality,
and she is convinced that we do not think Of
making IT,
That is the Interpretation she puts upon
the Presidents requirement that she nov
and Immediately declare and effect an absn-
Comment Of her ruthless and murderous sub
marine warfare. Her new order hss beer
made in the expectation that we shall take
steps to make Britain alter her blockade
rules. Even if we should do so Germany will
not be satisfied. The steps must be successful
She plainly says: SHOULD steps taken by the
government of the United States rot attain
the object II desres-to have the laws OF
humanity followed by all belligerent nations
ing a situation in which 10 must re-
serve TO itself complete liberty Of decision
The note is pervsded with the same idea
as runs through Won Jagows note OF July o.
1915. that Germany cannot abandon her sub
marine policy while her enemie. are free 70
stsrve her All that she says is couched in
the rudest and most offensive style. 10 first
class power has ever before received such an
insulting note from another
This is the answer which the Administrs-
ton is to accept-an administration which
told Germany fourteen months ago that II
would hold her TO "strict accountability" for
the loss of any American life, and which upon
the sinking of the Lusitania demanded that
she disavow responsibility for the conduct o.
her submarine officer, make reparation ana
give guarantees that the offence should not
be repeated. Germany's answer thus Tar mas
been to repeat the crime as often as she
pleased.
All that the Presidents latest message
with its threat OF a severance Of diplomats
relations, has been able 20 extort from her
the notification that she has given new order'
which she reserves the right TO revoke Al any
moment. That the President can think o.
accepting the Berlin note seems inerediois
unless his statements for fourteen months
and more are meaningless.
One of two courses appears 20 be open
either forthwith to let Germany know that"
accept her promise Of good behavior a. M
deed, it can be called promise) while she
lives up to it, but that under no circumstance
does this government agree to adopt any p.I'
ticular policy toward Germany's enemies
rote of this tenor should De transmitted "i'n.
cut delay. Germsnys failure to snswer
might be treated az satisfactory while $40
Observes good faith. Any answer from ne'
in any way qualifying our Interpretation
should be followed by recall Of our amoa'''
COR and dismissal Of her own
The other course-in reality the only PROP,
course 70 take-is 10 do now what ought 70
have been done a year ago-sever dipiom..'
relations. J. HAMPDEN D0UGHEklh
NeW York Nav s. 1916.