Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-05-06
Com ment On
Note

text OF the German reply to the Amer
lean note was printed in extra editions
OF the newspapers, but caused hardly
ripple of excitement. No crowds
gathered round the newspaper office;
and the people in general showed
marked calmness. Notable restrain,
was shown in the limited comment
made on the note in the papers. Even
Count Won Reventlow, usually a caus-
tic critic Of German-American rela-
tons, disposes of the matter with a
single line, referring his readers to
previous editorials for his opinion.
The German press appears satisfied
with the tenor of the reply, although
there are no indications that the atti-
tude of the newspapers is not wholly
uninspired.
The Vossische Zeitung, one of the
few papers to comment at length on
the German reply, says: The note is
inspired by a sincere wish to avoid a
break with the United States. The
government, in ignoring the tone of
President Wilson's note, has gone
straight to the point wherein there is
a possibility of an agreement by Of
fering to conduct the submarine cam
paign within the limits of ante-bellum
international law. This is the last and
furtherest concession that Germany
can make"
The utter lack of excitement on the
part of the majority of the people of
Berlin with which publication of the
German note to the United States was
received was in strong contrast with
the great interest shown everywhere
when the American note to Germany
was published April o. After the first
furry at noon today, when extra edi-
tions of the newspapers appeared with
the text of the note. the city resumed
its usual calm. In fact, it was almost
dead calm, on account of the blister
ing heat
Throughout the afternoon listless
crowds of average size thronged the
principal streets and cafes. Nowhere
could there be heard any particular
discussion of the German-American
situation, nor were there any signs of
antipathy to persons speaking English
which frequently have been observa-
BILE.
The Taegliche Rundschau, while ex-
pressing the opinion that the note
should have taken a different charac-
ter, urges that the expression of di-
vergent views is unwarranted at this
moment and that everybody should
subordinate his own judgment and
stand behind the government.
After Germany has undertaken this
doubly difficult sacrifice" says this
paper, Germans are entitled to ex-
pect America to keep her promise to
against all belligerents. 1t is now up
to the American people to show before
all the world whether their purpose
was to protect the rights of humanity
or to act as England's ally with a view
to cripple us and Illustrate our vic
tory"
London, May 6.-The Manchester
Guardian says that the effective point
in the German reply is contained in
the single brief prospect in which
Germany offers a further concession
of adapting submarine warfare to the
interests of neutrals.
as this likely to satisfy the United
States after two previous pledges
have proved worthless?" the Guardian
asks.
The president is offered modifica-
ton on lines already shown to LEAD
nowhere and coupled with the condi-
ton he has invariably rejected"
Paris, May 6-The French press
subjects the German note to the
United States to severe analysis,
drawing varying conclusions from it.
Some newspapers consider that Ger
many has yielded, although with bad
grace. Others believe the document
is a tortuous refusal.
The Petit Journal, the newspaper OF
Stephen Pichon. former foreign min
lister, says Germany certainly makes
a concession on the essential point.
but in the next breath seeks to make
capital out of that concession by ask
ing the United States to enforce re-
spect for liberty of the seas. This
means in substance, the newspaper
says, the suppression or at least at
tenuation of the blockade from which
the German people are suffering more
and more.
The Petit Parisien says the note
contains little that is new. 1t offers
concessions, but this is not the first
time Germany has spoken of having
issued humane instruction to sub
marine commanders. 1t continues:
Even if America accepted these
proposals, Notwithstanding the bar
gain they involve, the conflict will
break out afresh tomorrow over an
other inevitable incident"
The Matin heads its comment
'Blackmail" 1t says: ITO judge
properly the impudence of the reply
it must be remembered President Will
son declared in congress that he was
in the position of spokesman of neu-
trails and of civilized humanity He
has never in any degree admitted
there could exist connection between
lawful restrictions on enemy COM