Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-04-20
GERMAN NEWSPAPERS AGAINST
ACCEPTANCE OF ULTIMATUM
Press of United Staes Regrets That Wilson Did Not Take
His Firm Stand at Beginning of War

German newspapers, according to
cablegrams received to-day, are al
most unanimous in advising Germany
against an acceptance of the American
ultimatum. Even in this country the
German Herald, of Denver, while re-
framing from comment upon the
situation begs Congress to intervene
and save the nation from war. The
Illinois Staats Zeitung sees nothing to
tarnish the country's honor in with
drawing from the present situation
and says that America and America
alone can lengthen the horrors of the
war. On the other hand the Staats
Zeitung of New York says In case of
war with Germany I'VE would, one
and all, practice the loyalty which
our country has the right to expect
and which it would always receiver"
speaking thus for Americans of Ger
man birth or German descent.
Regret Late Stand
Many of the newspapers of the
United States regret that the Presi-
dent did not take his firm stand as
outlined yesterday at the beginning
the belief that had he done so the
present situation would have been
saved. Almost in so many words they
agree with Colonel Roosevelt's view
that the ultimatum should have been
issued at the beginning of hostilities.
Says the Philadelphia Press, Republi-
can: Congress should Loyalty CO.
operate with him and push the pro-
gram of preparedness with quickened
ZEAL" and looks pessimistically to-
ward a peaceful outcome of the pres
ent situation.
The Philadelphia Public Ledger,
independent Republican says: The
decision rests with Germany, not with
the United States. The consequences
of persisting in savagery lie with her,
not with us. That is made plain in
the note addressed to the German
Foreign Office, which says substantial
ly what was said in the address to
Congress. 1t may be that the Gov
ernment at Berlin will withdraw at
the last moment from the perilous
course it has been pursuing. Whether
it does or does not, there is no need
to vindicate the Presidents position.
The United States has no wish for
war with any nation; there will be
no war unless Germany is determined
TO provoke it. But it would be false
10 itself and to all the world if it
longer endured war in the name of
peace. 1t must be ready to face
whatever the future may bring with
out fear, without reproach, secure in
its own integrity and unselfshness of
motive. The account with Germany
has been running many months; the
items reach a staggering total. 1t is
now closed. Nothing is left but settle
ment in full"
Sun Criticiscs Mann
The New York Sun, criticising ad-
versely the speech of Congressman
Mann, Republican, in the House yes
terday accusing the President of
playing politics, says:
Nobody here who knows the ways
of narrow partisanship will assume
that Mr.. Mann represents patriotic
Republican sentiment; Germany may
believe that he is speaking for a
great and powerful party. How re-
freshing in contrast with this ignoble
demonstration is the language of our
extremely pro-German neighbor the
Staats Zeitung, which declared yes
terday, in behalf of the real Amer
leans of German nativity or descent
that if the stupendous misfortune of
war should be brought upon this
republic by the action of Congress-
we would. one and all, practise the
loyalty which our country has the
right to expect and which it would