Evening journal., 1916-02-09

of neutral to travel on a belligerentl
passenger ship without peril to life or
limb.
This was a neutral right. 1t was
therefore an American right 1t was a
right under international law. ANY in
fringement Of that right was an act of
war unles it was disavowed, and the |
pursuit of SUCH course would become a !
policy of war. All this was clearly per-
ceived at home and abroad from the be-
ginning
But Germany has steadily refused and
still refuses to face this situation. Shei
is willing, as favor to the United
States, to desist from further opera
tions, with a frank reservation, fire.
quently voiced by Bernstorff, that she
may later resume her freedom if the
United States docs not act against
Great Britain as Germany desires. She
is prepared TO regret the death of Amer
leans on the Lusitania, and to say that
she never had any intent or desire tol
kill them-leaving the clear implication
that if they had remained off the Brit
ish ship they would not have been kill
ed. The question of indemnity is not
vital and requires no discussion, but
even in this respect Germany has made
her readiness to pay appear as an act of
grace, not a submission to Justice.
This is all there is to the latest Ger
man proposal. 40 accept it is to aban-
don the last prctenee of defendi x in-
ternational law or championing the
rights of neutrals If he accepts it, Mr..
Wilson simply takes from the CermanI
Government a permission for Americans
TO live on the high seas and an as se,tion,
that Germany does not cherish any
murderous designs upon Americans and
regrets their deaths. when they PERISH
as a result Of her illegal acts. The whole
question Of international law and neu-
trail rights goes by the board We asked
for Justice and we are to get special
favor.
The Tribune does not believe that the
people of this country will permanently
accept any such bargain. II does not
believe that they will accept at the
hands of the murderers of the women
and children of the Lusitania a permis-
sion TO enjoy rights which have been
established by international agreements
and. until Germany adopted her subma-
rinc policy. were questioned by no one.
Tho Tribune does not believe that the
people of this country will forgive or
forget a dishonoring agreement such as
the Germans have now proposed. 1t
does not believe that the nation will
permanently end &c the disgrace which
such an arrangement will bring. and it
believes that ii Mr. Wilson closes his
diplomatic discussion with Germany by
such an ignominious surrender he will
but open the new discussion with the
American people which will make the
l.ustania bargain the main issue of the
coming election.
II is an intolenblc thiny that Ger
many should be permitted to murder
Americans. to pursue the policy of mur-
der as long as il was profitable and
then, as an act of grace. desist from the
practice of assassination, but refuse to
disavow the crims and place her empty
concessions on the high ground of inter
national friendship. But this is what
is now proposed.
It may take weeks, il may take
months, for the American people to un-
dcrstand the fact as contrasted with
the fiction Of the present arrangement.
But understand IL they WILL and when
! they understand it their Indignation
will be destructive. Mr. Wilson under
! took. in the name Of his nation. the
noble mission Of defending humanity
and upholding international law. To
abandon these high purposes and accept
at German hands a "scrap of paper
permitting Americans to live on the
seas. subject to German pleasure and ms
proof Of German benevolence. will be
TO shame and dishonor his country and
destroy his own political existence.