Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-08-01

mission as a great neutral nation. 1t
was for us to maintain the integrity
of international law; to Vindicate our
rights as neutrals; TO protect the lives
OF our citizens, their property and
trade from wrongful acts.
Putting aside any question as to the
highest possibilities of moral leader
ship in the maintenance and vindica-
ton of the law of nations IN connec-
ton with the European war, at least
we were entitled to the safeguarding
or American rights. But this has not
been secured. We have had brave
words in series of notes. but despite
our protests the lives of Americans
have been destroyed.
What does it avail TO use some of
the strongest words known to diplo-
macy If am bassadors can receive the
impression that the words are not to
be taken seriously? 1t is not words,
but the strength and resolution behind
the words that count.
Where U. s. Diplomacy Failed
The chief function of diplomacy is
prevention; but in this our diplomacy
failed, doubtless because of it's i'm
paired credit and the manIrest lack of
disposition to back words with action.
Had this government by the use of
both informal and formal diplomatic
opportunities left no doubt that when
we said strict accountability" we
meant precisely what we said, and
that we should unhesitatingly vindi-
cate that position, l am confident that
there would have been no destruction
OF American lives by the sinking OF the
Lusitania.
There, we had ample notice; in fact.
published notice. Furthermore, we
knew the situation and we did not re-
quire specific notice. Instead of whit
ting away our formal statements by
equlVocal conversations, we needed the
straight, direct and decisive represen-
tauons which every diplomat and for
elgn office would understand. l believe
that in this way we should have been
spared the repeated assaults on Amer
lean policy would have been strongly
supported by our people and the op-
portunities for the deveIopment of
bitter feeling would have been vastly
reduced.
1t is a great mistake to say that
resoluteness in protecting American
rights would have led to war. Rather,
in that course lay the best assurance
of peace. Weakness and indecision in
the maintenance of known rights are
always sources of grave danger; they
forfeit respect and invite serious
wrongs, which in turn create an un-
comfortable popular resentment. That
is not the path of national security.
Mere Words Won't Promote Peace
Not only have we a most of re-
sources short of war by which to en-
force our just demands, but we shall
never promote our peace by being
stronger in words than in deeds We
should not have found it difficult to
maintain peace, but we should have
maintained peace with honor. During
this critical period the only danger OF
war has lain in the weak course of the
administration.
5O nor Tut life and
the same footing, but the administra-
ton has not only been remiss with
respect to the protection of American
lives; it has been remiss with respect
to the protection of American property
and American commerce. 1t has been
too much disposed to be content with
leisurely discussion.
l canno tnow undertake to review
the course of events. but it is entirely
clear that we failed to use the re-
sources at our command to prevent
injurious action, and that we suffered
in consequence. We have no Interior
purposes, and the administration
should have known how to secure the
entire protection of every legitimate
American interest and the prompt
recognition of our just demands as a
neutral nation.
We denounce all plots and con-
spiracies in the interest of any foreign
of our soil for alien intrigues. Every
American must unreservedly condemn
them, and support every effort for
their suppression.
Slow to Suppress Plotters
But here, also, prompt, vigorous and
adequate measures on the part of the
administration were needed There
should have been no hesitation: no
notion that it was wise and polite to
delay. Such an abuse of our territory
demanded immediate and thorough
going action. As soon as the admin
istration had notice of plots and con-
spiracies, it was its duty to stop them.
II was not lacking in resources It's
responsibility for their continuance
cannot be escaped by the rondemna-
ton of others.
We are a peace loving people. put
we live in a world of arms. We have
no thought of aggression, and we de-
sire to pursue our democratic ideals
without the wastes of strire. So de-
voted are we to these ideals, so intent
upon our normal development, that I
do not believe that there is the slight
est danger of militarism In this coun-