Evening journal., 1916-08-01

votedly, intellectually. for the
United States. That is the rallylng
point for all Americans. That is my
position. 1 stand for the unfiinching
maintenance OF all American rights
on land and sea.
We have had clear and definite
mission as a great neutral nation. II
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 leadership in the
maintenance and vindication Of the
law Of nations in connection with the
European War, at least we weresen.
titled TO the safeguarding OF Ameqi-
can rights But this has not been
secured. We have had brave words
in a series Of notes. but despite our
protests the lives OF Americans have
been destroyed What does IL avail
% use some OF the strongest words
Known to diplomacy II Ambassadors
/ can receive the impression that the
words are not to be taken seriously
II rs not words. but tile strength and
resolution behind the words. that
count The chief function OF diplo-
macy is prevention; but in this our
diplomacy failed, doubtless because
of its impaired credit and the mani
fest 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 accounta-
| bility" we meant precisely what We
said. and that we should unhesitat-
ingly vindicate that position, am
confident that there would have been
no destruction Of American lives by
the sinking of the Lusltania. There,
we had ample notice. i'm fact, pub
/ lished notice. Furthermore, we knew
/ the situation and we did not require
/ specific notice. Instead of whiting
away our formal statements by
equivoca1 conversations. we needed
the straight. direct and decisive rep
reservations which every diplomat
and foreign office would understand.
l believe that In this way we should
have been spared the repeated as
saults on American lives. Moreover
a firm American policy would have
been strongly supported by our peo-
h pie and the opportunities for the de-
velopment OF bitter feeling would
!, have been vastly reduced
It is great mistake to say that
iesoluteness in protecting American
rights would have led to war Rather
In that course lay the best assurance
of peace. Weakness and INDIGESTION III
int &c fs.f,f
! always sources Of grave danger: the,
/ forfeit respect and invite serlou.
wrongs, which In turn create an un.
comfortable popular resentment. Tha'
> is not the path Of national security
Not only nave we host Of resources
= short of war by which to enforce oui
3 Just demands. bur we shall never pro
mote our peace by being stronger n
+, words than in decide. We should no
I have found il didieLlt TO maintah
r peace. but we should have maintain
e. eli peace with houcs During .hl
r critical period the only danger Of wa
s has lain in the weak course Of tn
e Administration.
s. 1 do not put life and property OIL
i the same footing, but the Admins
e tration has not only been remiss witt
Y respect to the protection Of Ameri
10 can lives: il has been remiss witt
!. respect TO the protection Of America
l. property and American commerce. l
: has been too much disposed to b
n content with leisurely discussion.
e cannot now undertake to review tn
- course Of events. but it is entirel
vi clear that we failed TO use the re
n sources at our command to proven
II injurious action, and that we suffere
d in consequence. We have no ulterio
= purposes, and the Administratio
Il should have known how to secure tn
O entire protection OF every legitimst
y American interest and the prompt rec
Il ognition Of our just demands as
{, neutral nation.
t. We denounce all plots and conspira
= cies in the interest Of any foreign ma
!. ton. Utterly intolerable is the us
II of our soil for alien intrigues. Ever
. American must unreservedly condem
them. and support every effort fc
" their suppression. But here ais
prompt. vigofUus and adequate mes
l. sures on the part of the Administers
" ton were needed. There should hay
Is been no hesitation; no notion that
n was wise and polite to delay. Sue
lie an abuse Of our territory demande
le immediate and thorough-going actio
= As soon as the Administration had M
l. tice of plots and conspiracies, II WI
10 its duty 20 stop them. Il was NJ
at lacking in resources. Its responsible
q ity for their continuance cannot