Daily Kennebec journal., 1916-05-06
Wilson's Interpretation of German Reply May Avert Immediate Rupture
While Leading Newspapers Believe the Severance Of Relations evat

umph for the Presidents course In
these circumstances, the President
would have no occurrance for withdraw
ing Ambassador Gerard or otherwise
severing relations with the German
government. In securing 50 much that
1t Is substantive. he can afford to over
look the annoying aspects Of the notes
phraseology. doubtless designed to meet
conditions at home just as he has al
lowed Carranza to save his face"
LOWELL. (MASS.) COURIER cITI-
ZEN: While Germany's specific order
to her submarines sound fair and rea-
sonable, much depends upon her follow
ing Of her own precepts in practice.
The note seems not to deal with the
Sussex case and is open to the charge
Of darkening counsel by a multitude
Of words. It's tone swings between
whining and the truculent.
PORTLAND (ME.) PRESS: With the
adroitness which has always charac-
terized Germany's diplomatic inter-
change with the United States, the re-
ply to President Wilson's note Of April
20 avoids a direct and frank response
ohu PAoSCo VIC OoANSAi ASA SAAS AAS"~ S~~t'
upon President Wilson.
The reply cannot be regarded as who'll
ly satisfactory nor will it admit Of
President Wilson's claiming that Ger
many has completely reversed her
avowed policies, but it will not bring
matters to a crisis Immediately. and
whether it eventually does or not de-
pends in a large measure upon future
events.
SPRINGFIELD (Mass.) UNION: The
Course of President Wilson appears to be
clear. He has only one course to pursue
and that is to live up to the terms of his
note to Germany and sever diplomatic
relations with that country. Responsible
ity whatever they are must rest with En-
peror William.
LEWISTON (Me.) SUN: The i'm
portant fact about the German note is
not that it is satisfactory-not that it
is acceptable-but that President Will
son accepts it.
1t is not to be expected that either
party to the dispute should find the
language of the other acceptable. 1t
is great good fortune that the breach
has been escaped once more. 1t is to
be presumed that nothing further will
be done by our government till another
violation of our neutral rights.
BOSTON JOURNAL: The truth of
the matter is that German diplomacy
has maneuvred American diplomacy
into an untenable position, and it is
now very generally recognized in this
country that the President tacit in
structions upon the warning of even
armed merchantmen is contrary to the
common sense of the situation.
This country, in word. does not want
war on the issue Of Germany's right
to attack armed merchantmen. That
is an arguable abstraction Of interna-
tional law-with the argument some
what in favor Of Germany. '"' 80 We
could and should fight over facts; we
should have fought over the fact of the
Lusitania-when the nation was in a
red seeing rage, and when fighting
was right if it ever can be.
New York Newspapers
NEW YORK TRIBUNE: Mr.. Will
son can do but one thing. He must
break off relations with the Imperial
German government without delay and
without hesitation. The recall of Ge-
rard, the dispatch of Bernstorff to his
own country-these are the things
that we can no longer postpone. They
are the least that can be done; they
may we'll be but the beginning-but
they must be done.
NEW YORK WORLD: All that
part of the German reply which con-
o11i ha<~
ny and the United States to break a
British blockade that Germany her
self cannot break is impossible. 1t is
unthinkable. To grant it would put a
stain on the honor of the United
States that could never be erased.
What Germany has yielded she must
yield in obedience to law. not for the
expected benefits Of barter. That and
that alone must be the American at
titude.
NEW YORK EVENING POST: All
told, the German reply has the appear
ance Of being as little conciliatory as
words could make it. -"
NEW YORK EVENING SUN: We
cordially hope our government may
find in this note the solution of our
own difficulty, but as a general indi-
cation as respects the prospects Of
Peace 1t fills US with gloom. Plainly
Germany Is not in the humor yet to
heed the counsels of wisdom or hu-
manity. She is still world defiant.
NEW YORK GLOBE: There is no COM
pliance or substantial compliance. The
little that is conceded is conceded condi-
tionally. No choice would thus seem open
to our government but to carry out its de-
clared intention to sever diplomatic rela-
tions.
NEW YORK HERALD: There are
two things that he president Wilson,
can do. One is to sever diplomatic re-
lations with Germany Immediately. The
tone Of the note in itself would be JUS
tification for that On the other hand
he can sit down and wait. He will not
have to wait long. There is no way
out Of the dihiculties Of the United
States with Germany except through
Germany abandoning its illegal use Of
the submarine. This it will not do.
The break seems bound to come in the
very nature Of things. 1t would per-
haps better to have 1t come now.
NEW YORK JOURNAL OF CON-
MERGE: ""s Again 1t depends up
on what is done in the other and who'll
Iy different case Of Great Britain. If we