The Washington herald., 1916-04-09
Assurances from Germany.

First it was the Imperial Chancellor DIR. Won
Bethmann- Hollweg who undertook TO assure us
that Germany had no intention after the war of
challenging the Monroe doctrine demanding the
cession of Canada and threatening the independ-
ence of the United States of America; and now
it is the minister of foreign Affairs, Herr Won
Jagow who formally and deliberately pronounces
the attribution of any such program to Germany
as absurd But merely to be told by these states
men that Germany has no designs upon our coun-
try and that il is ridiculous for us to think SO
gives US no sense of assurance. because the
American people realize that no one in Germany
is in position to give such assurance, and that
even if it were otherwise German assurances are
not worth the ink necessary to record them
Even when we have asked assurances from Ger
many we have been made the victims of lying
and duplicity. What value shall we then place
upon voluntary denunciation of reports attrbuting
to Germany designs upon the United States after
the war, accompanied by no evidence whatever to
disprove them. Surely we are not so guilible that
our suspicious will not be aroused that it will
not occur to US that Germanys statesmen protest
too much.
That there is purpose behind this patting
us on the back and telling us not to be frightened
is not to be doubted, even though the cltsnsily
pstronizing air of the German statesmen pro-
duces nothing of the effect desired Very likely
1t was expected that in gratitude for the prom
ises not to hurt us after the war, we would view
more complacently the continuation of the muir
derous attacks on American citizens travelling
on unarmed ships of neutral and belgerent ma
tions and that soon we might even cease to pro-
test when American lives are sacrificed or i'm
periled. =-... ..s-. .-
II will be noted that neither Won Bethmann-
Hoilweg nor Won Jagow suggests that Germany
may not be able after the war to wreak ven
geance or fell design upon the United States.
We are to assume that it is inevitable that Ger
many will conquer Europe, and that she will be
in position to do her whole will with us; but she
will not attack us, because the imperial chancellor
and minister of foreign affairs say she will not
Germany's record since the days before the war
began forbids US to give to these attempted
assurances anything but keenly suspicious con,
sideration. If we of the United States believe
that there is a possibility that Germany will win
the war and be left victorious with her miltarism
not crushed we should be on our guard In the
face of such a menace this would not seem to be
the time to question the cost of an adequate army
and navy. Neutrality is fine thing to talk about
but if Germany should emerge triumphant over
Europe, the whole American people and especi-
ally those in charge of their government.
would look back in self-reproach to every obstacle
placed in the way of the allies and every act that
furthered the cause that demanded the sacrifice
OF our women and children of the Lusitana Ger
many has given US endless reasons for declaring
friendship at end and giving to her enemies
all the aid in our power, and though we continue
to maintain diplomatic relations with her in face
of her obvious intention to continue the de-
struction without warning of helpless ships with
our countrymen on board until compelled by the
navies of the allies to desist, we must not be
misled by statements empty of all but insult con-
cerning Germany's intentions toward the United
States after the war. We shall be Our own Judges
of what viii be required of US when the fighting
in Europe ends, and self-preservation demands
that we prepare for 1t.