The Washington herald., 1917-02-04
Editorial Comment
OF u. S. Press Lauds
Presidents Action
view York Herald.

Mr.. Wilson has made hts decision. and 1t
Is for the right In severfng diplomatic
relations between the United States and
Germany he has done the thing which
Washinzto would have done. which Lin
coin would have done. and what any
other American President would have
done He has upheld the rights, the dig
nifty and the honor Of the American peo-
Pile
The crisis which wise men have seen
to be inevitable Is here. The die Is cast.
The action taken by the President yes
terday does not mean war. That 1t brings
US to the verge OF war no man can doubt
who has followed the course OF the Ger
man government since II made. scrap
OF paper of its treaty with Belgium and
invaded that unhappy land. II war comes.
however. It will be through the act Of
the Prussianism which IN its desperation
shows willingness TO sacrifice the great
people placed IN its power.
The Baltimore star.
The people of these United States, re-
gardless OF party afihation, and. we may
say also. without consideration OF the
spot on the world map where their faith
srs. grandfathers or great-grandfathers
were born, will sustain the national ad-
ministratlon in policy that stands de-
cisiyely and firmly for the maintenance Of
American rights on the seas, for the
maintenance OF rights under interna-
tional law and for the maintenance OF
the decent obligations of this nation fac
ing a developed situation that presents
an unavoidable responsibility.
PhIadelphia Evening Ledger.
The President, in breaking OF dipio-
matic relations with Germany, has ex-
pressed the Will OF the people OF the
United States. In the three days that
have elapsed since the publication of the
German governments insulting repudia-
ton OF It's pledge to respect the lives and
property Of American citizens on the high
seas the American people have expressed
themselves with virtual unanimity that
further conversation with the German
government would be an ignominious sur
render Of the national sovereignty and
an inenaceable blot upon the national
honor.
The Cleveland Leader.
President Wilson has but to lead as
he Is leading now and the nation united
win follow him. come what may. He
Is standing for American honor and in
terna tional justice. He has taken the
grave steps which yesterday became part
Of the history of the country and the
times. because he could do no less with
out sacrificing the good name Of this
republic and betraying the sacred rights
OF humanity.
The republic viii go into the vast con-
nict, II it must, with a clear conscience,
convinced that It is following the path
OF wisdom. honor, and RI hit
This country will stand with a great
array Of nations already e.nbattled-
Brooklyn Eagle.
Woodrow Wilson has taken the only
course consonant with the dignity and
honor Of the nation over which he pre-
sides In severiny relations with the
German government he notifies that
government, the people whom 1t has
misled AMI all the world besides, that
the United States of America sets its
seal of outlawry upon a country that
began the war by outraging neutral
state and has continued it with
studied and ruthless contempt for the
rights OF neutrals and non-combatants.
Had he argued or debated with the
German government regarding the un-
paralleIed effrontery Of an order re-
stricting the rights Of American citizens
upon the high seas. that indicated
- wholesale murder at the expense OF
unoffending neutrals Of an nadonali-
ties, he would have sacrificed not only
the interests Of this republic but also
those interests OF humanity OF which
he has always been the eloquent spokes-
man.
New York Evening sun.
The President has won the full sup
mort Of the American people and the re-
spect of the world by the brave and Vis-
orous action which he has taken In re-
sponse TO Germany's insolent and in
y furious threat Of a campaign OF rr1gnt-
>frlness at sea in which American snips
and American citizens are to be included
as victims.
PHILADELPHIA Evening Telegraph.
Having been reelected President of the
United States by men and women VINO
believed him pre-eminently qualified TO
defend the nations honor without enter
ing into war until war should become
Inevitable, President Wilson Is doubtless
fully conscious at this grave moment
that his fellow-citizens rely on him to
move with redoubled caution through the
dark waters that have suddenly risen
Philadelphia Inquirer.
Only a miracle. It would seem, can keep
Us out Of the conflict, for We must pro-
tect American ships from destruction,
and we must avenge the taking CT a sim
gle American life on any merchant ship
regardless of nationality, even If the
whole force Of the navy is summoned into
service. We have got to keep the paths
of trafac open. and il that means war,
so be It.
View York sun.
The blood of the citizen who is first
for all things American. pulses more firm
ly and proudly this morning. His gov
erurnent has at last spoken the voice OF
the nation. He can now hold his head
upright and thank God and the Presi-
dent for the old-fashioned perpendicular
ity Of it. Whatever the consequences OF
Germanys mad enterprise may be, what
ever the future may hkYe In store Tor
ns as the custodIans ara champions OF
neutral rights on the ocean highways,
America is now awake and erect.
Pittsburgh Gaxette-TImes.
President Wilson has taken the right
course with Germany He has severed
diplomatic relations with the Kaisers
government There was nothing else to
do In view Of the note Of last Wednes-
day announcing Germany's deliberate in
tention to destroy shipping, neutral as
well as hostile, In certain waters which
she chose to declare barred zone" This
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