Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-20

word" to Germany on the submarine
issue:
New York Herald-This is no time for
division anywhere in the United States
The country is on the brink OF war
The President is right. He speaks Tor
the nation. Party spirit should be laid
aside Personal prejudices should be
submerged, 1t is the country that
speaks through Mr.. Wilson. The in
terests of the whole land are involved.
1t is easy to criticise. and yet he who
criticises now is engaged in a bad
business. 1t is easy to attribute mean
motives. and he who does so is show
ing a meaner motive than can be easily
characterized.
New York World-They tthe Ameri-
can people) still hope. and hope will
not cease unless the German govern
ment deliberately takes the fatal step
that ends all possibility of an honor
able and amicable adjustment of past
wrongs and all possibility of future
guarantees. 1t is for the German gov
eminent to say whether it wants the
United States for a friend or an enemy;
II knows the terms.
Conditions Confronting Germany.
New York Times-We may as we'll
summon into view at once the condi-
ton that will confront Germany should
she reject our demand, still friendly
though firm, and by continued wrongs
cornpel resort to the ultimate rem
edy. Sharing the Presidents hope. it
is better that we should face the worst
now that we should picture forth and
have clearly in mind the possible
sequels of a breach of diplomatic rela-
lions. 1t might bring on war. and to
impress upon the German mind what
that would mean for Germany is the
surest resource now left to us against
war.
New York Tribune-If there is a def
mite result at last-whether diplomatic
relations are broken off or intercourse
is continued on the basis of German
disavowal of the policy of murder on
the high seas-we shall owe nothing
passed in Washington for the last
fourteen months s modern American
diplomacy.
Chicago Tribune Americans cannot
read this mornings news in any care
less mood and be rational or wise. The
President the other day asked if we
were ready for the test. This is the
test. 1t may be the test of our own
composition as nation of our courage
as individuals. of our spirit and manli-
ness. If the test be faced hon
estly and bravely it may do good. 1t
may be the test the nation needs to be-
fed. spiritualized ana strengthened,
able to meet dangers which we can see
the future offering.
Chicago Herald-The United States
has been patient about German sub
marine murders: patient with German
evasions, with German duplicity. with
German agents arrogant abuses OF
A hnn5iI h .sl2r. 1t has warned
We have heard from the German
ambassador that severance of diplo-
matte relations means war. That is for
Berlin to decide. Germany will have to
begin the war, if war there be.
Idle to Send More Notes.
Philadelphia Record-It is idle to
send more notes to Berlin. The re-
sources of diplomacy have been ex-
hausted. The President can do no
more. The next step must be taken
either by the German government or by
Congress. whose constitutional pre-.
rogative it is to declare war.
Philadelphia Inquirer-The note is
practically an ultimatum. although it
admits of an answer. Indeed reply
is expected. Germany must squarely
satisfy our demands deliberately
spurn our official friendship. The
choice is hers. We should have made
the issue Immediately after the sinking
of the Lusitania.
Philadelphia Press-President Will
sons recital of Germany's repeated vio-
Iations of the law of nations and of
humanity in her submarine warfare is
more than ample justification for sus-
pending official relations with that
country. The country Will be with the
President in the stand he has taken
Philadelphia Public Ledger - The
President has been patient. more than
patient. in the face of unprecedented
provocations, of intolerable injuries.
The position he has finally taken will
have the united and whole hearted ap-
prevail of the nation.
Boston Globe-Since the Berlin gov
eminent has acted in defiance not only
of our most earnest protests, but also
in defiance of its own promises, since
in other words. diplomacy has been ex-
hausted the government of the United
States has nothing left to do except to
say that the end has come. We have
no choice.