The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-02-01


portion Of the note published today i.
Tor consumption by the German peo.
pies. Doubtless the idea of the Berlin
government is that It can s"bluff. The
/ president into q disgraceful surrender
i The Berlin government may be mis-.
taken.
| NEW YORK TRIBUNE: We hase
submitted to outrage long enough.
Peace with Germany would be pur-
chased at too dear a price If it is to be
purchased by compliance with the
kaiscr's latest Insulting instructions to
| us as to how we shall conduct our
commerce with the entente nations,
NEW YORK WORLD: There can be
only one answer on the part of the
United States to the new German sub
marine proclamation, and that answer
should be made today. The German
ambassador must receive his. passports
forthwith and diplomatic relations
must cease at once. There should be
no procrastination until the hand Of
the United States government is forced
by premeditatcd murder and deprcda-
tion.
We have made every concession to
Germany that self respect will permit
and all those concessions have proved
to be in vain. To acquiesce in a re-
sumption of ruthless submarine oper-
ations, is to subject ourselves to the
losses of war while depriving ourselves
OF the means Of self defense. That is
intolerable.
PHILADELPHIA PUBLIC LEDGER;
It is impossible to exaggeratc the
gravity of the issues raised by the
German note or to ignore the indis-
putable fact that it brings the United
states not only to the necessity of
facing an immediate severance of dip
lomatic relations with Germany, but
to the very verge of war. There can
be no question of American rights and
duties IN this grave emergency.
SA|1H Ci~AND ILALN DEALER:
Germany challenges civilization. 'The
United States, speaking of the most
powerful of neutrals on behalf of civ
slization. cannot afford to ignore the
challenge.
CHICAGO HERALD: Gcrmany's re-
ply to President Wilson's suggestion
OF Il world league to enforce peace is
an unconscious masterpiece of cyni-
cism and savage irony. 1t tears up, as
though they were a new scrap of pa
nfr, all the assurances that have been
given to respect the rights of neutrals
In submarine warfare. The note harsh.
~ summons Washington to forsake
for n time the generous dream in a
world In which peace Is guaranteed
and to look to our great neutral rights.
Retaliation against Great Britain can
not now justify violation of intcrna-
tional law any more than it did at
first. Nor in the name of humanity
will neutrals willingly consent to see
both humanity and their own rights
violated.
WASHINGTON POST: Germany's
note will fall upon the American pub
lie with stupefyjng effect. No doubt
it was In view of this danger that
Pesident Wilson made such extraor-
dinary efforts to bring about peace. 1t
is impossible for this government to
tolerate the new rule which Germany
seeks to impose.
LOUISVILLE COURIER JOURNAL:
It is direct challenge of war to the
United states. II Is time for no fur
thcr parleying. That challenge should
be accepted within "a hours.
ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS: The
worst provocation has happened. Sec
retary Lansing's fears of the immi-
ncncc OF war have been fulfilled. And
still the people OF the United States,
proud and unangered. but psrplexed,
viii hope that our participation in the
European struggle may be averted.
SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE:
Looked at in a practical way. and Il
should be remembered that none of the
belhgerents has respected the provi-
sions Of international law. Germany IL
simply cutting loose from all restraint
and proceeding on the principle that
all Is fair In warfare. and that IL best
which makes for victory. IT Is a des-
peratc move, but America can and
should do nothing until she Is specif-
ically injured.
BALTIMORE SUN: The govern
nent 10 now facing the most critical
situation Of the whole war;. We canno:
temporiSt. There must be no more
illegal killing OF American citizens on
the high seas,