The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-08-01
ncc,ion with the European war. at least

ncction with the European war. AT least
VIC were entitled 10 the safeguarding OF
American rights Rut this has not been
secured we have had brave words in
a series Of notes. hut despite our pro-
tests tho lives of Americans have been
destroyed. What does il avail To US some
OF the strongest words known To- dlPl"-
macy If ambassadors can receive the
i'm precision that the words arc not to be
taken seriously? 1t is not words. hut
the strength and resolution behind the
words, that count. The chief function
Of Diplomacy is prevention: but in this
our diplomacy failed. doubtless because
Of its impaired credit and the manifest
lack Of disposition 10 back words with
action, Had This G"v"rnmcnt by the use use
Of both informal and formal diplomatic
opportunities left II" Doubt that when
We said strict accountability We meant
! precisely what We said. ana mat We
should unhcsitatinglv vindicate THAI po-
| Silion, | am confident that there would
have been no destruction of. American
! lives by the sinking Of the LuSitanla.
i There. we had ampl" notice: in TACT
| published notice. Furthermore. we knew
! the situation and We did not require spe-
: cific notice. Instead of whiting away
J our formal statements by equirocal con-
! vcrsarinns. we needed the straight, d.
| rect and decisive representations when
| every Diplomat and foreign office would
understand. ! believe that in this way
We should have been spared the repeat
! ed assaults on American lives. More
, over. Il firm American policy would haSr
been strongly supported by our pcnr''
and the opportunities for tho develop
mcnt of bitter feeling would have, been
! vastly reduced.
1t is a great mistake to say that r"s0-
. lutrncSS in protecting American rlGhlS
would hav" lad to war. Rather. in ihAt
/ course lay the best assuranC" ol peace
| Weakness and irdcciSiOn in the ma!ntcn-
Z ~ "a nlWnNS sources
, Of grave danger; they forfeit respect and
. invite serious wrongs. which IN turn
create m uncomfortable popular resent.
mcn;. That is rot the path Of national
security. Not only have We A host al
resources short Of war by which I" OH
force our just demands hut We shall
never promote our peace BY being
! stronger in words than 'in deeds. w"
s'rmuL not have found ii difficult to
/ maintain peace, bat VIZ Shoul! hav'
lnaIntai;ird peace with honor. Daring
! this critical pc:Imh III" only danger al
var has lain in the weak course Of tho
| Administration.
! do not put life and property on The
same footing. but tn. administration has
! not only been r"nliSS with respect 10 thf
/ protect ion Of American lives: it has bc"u
! r.miSS with respect TO the protection al
| American property and American com
mercc. 1t has hccn too much disL"*"d
! 10 hc content with leiSurcly discussion
] cannot now UNDERTAKE ~ TcNl'W IHe
| course OF events. but il is entirely clear
| that we failed 10 use the resources At
| our command TO prevent injurious ac-
! tinn. and that we suffered in cons"-
! ourncc. We have no Interior purposes
and tho administration should have
known how to secure the entire PrntHH-
, ti"n of every legitimate American lnic:-
osl and the prompt recognition OF 0ut
lust demands as a neutral nation.
We dcnounce all plots and cousp!ra.
ccS in the interest nC anE foreign Ea-
tion. Utterly intnlera bic is the use ~
! our soil for alien intricu"s. Every
American must unrcSrrrcdly condemn
them. and support every effort for their
suppression. But here. also. prompt,
vigorous and adequate measures on the
part Of the administration arc needed.
There should have been no hesitation:
| 40 notion that ii was visa and polite Ia
delay. Such an abuse of our territory
demanded immediate and thorough cr!nS
action. AS soon as the administrator
had motto" Of plots and corSrira Ci"s. IL
was it's duty IL stop them. |, was not
lacking in resources. Its responsibility
for their continuance cannot be escaped
| by the condemnation ri others.
Preparedness.
We are Il p"aCc-lrving people. hut w"
live III 4 world of arms We hay" II"
thought nr aggression. and "" desire -
pursuc our democratic ideals without tn"
wastes Of strife. So devoted arc We 10
these ideals. s" intent upnn our norma |
development. that ! do not h"linV" that
there is tho slightest danger 81 mill
arism in this country. Adequate pro
paredncss is not rnilitarism. II is the