New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-11
: More Explanations

Gerard furnished an Interpretation OF II
the other day for the benefit of the German
public; Minister van Dyke has just made
= somewhat indiscreet statement about it
for the instruction Of neutral Holland.
The more explanations the more mys-
terry. Who will venture to say now what
the note meant, in view Of all these con-
fusing interpretations
On its face it seemed to be simply an
appeal to the belligerents to stop fighting.
Each side was asked to state the terms on
which it would be willing 10 make peace,
50 that the world would know how Tar
apart In their aims and purposes the two
warning combinations actually were. The
appeal seemed to be based solely on con-
siderations Of humanity.
Then suddenly came Mr.. Lansing's as
tonishing Interpretation. He said that
neither he nor the President regarded the
rote as a peace note. It's dispatch indi-
Gated "the possibility Of our being forced
into war" II was written not out of an
altruistic desire to serve humanity, but only
as a measure Of national sef-protecton.
More and MORE" said Mr.. Lansing, "our
own rights are becoming involved by the
belligerents on both sides, so that the situa-
ton is becoming increasingly critical. |
mean by that that we are drawing nearer
The verge Of war ourselves, and that we
are entitled to know exactly what each
belligerent seeks in order that we may
regulate our conduct in the future"
This explanation was speedily with
drawn. But the point Of view behind it
was not repudiated. Unofacially the Ad-
ministration still let 1t be understood that
the main purpose Of the note was to force
peace at once, in order to allow the United
States to escape further clashes with Ger
many, due to the latters illegal and inhu-
man methods Of submarine warfare.
In the Senate last week James Hamilton
Lewis, the Administration spokesman on
all questions Of foreign policy, boldly re-
vived the Interpretation Of the note which
Mr.. Lansing had technically disavowed
He went even further than Mr.. Lansing,
clearly pointing 10 Germany as the power
whom this country would have to fight.
Here is one OF the most significant pas
sages in Mr.. Lewis's speech:
NJ Iaf
upon my authority in the place where
stand, assuming to bind no man, that
agree with the sentiment expressed from
any quarter-the Senator from Massa-
chusetts or the Secretary Of State OF
from any other observing man-that this
war cannot continue without America
being involved in the conflict. DO you
feel, Mr.. President, that here in this ma
ton the people Of the country are in such
temper that they will ever again allow
any commanders of ships, captains oil
armies, officers Of diplomacy, to visit upor
this country an injury to its citizens OF
it's property and escape upon the excuse
of misconception Of orders, on the one
hand, or an excess Of zeal on the part Of
the officer. on the other? Nc
amount Of logic for pscifeHtion would
avail when America is again aroused &c
an offence deliberately done her.
Then, sir, say the continuance OF this
war in Europe Will mean war with The
United States"
War between the United States and Ger
N many was evidently what Mr.. Lewis hsc
" in mind. He intimsted, no doubt with suf
fcient knowledge. that Mr.. Lansing alsC
. had it in mind. Yet Ambassador Gerard
Just back in Berlin from visit to this
country, on which he exchanged views
freely with the President and the Secre
tary of State, declares that he can SC,
nothing in the least threatening in tn,
present relations between Germany ant
the United States At the dinner given il
his honor last Saturday at the German
capital he said, interpreting Mr.. Wilson,
peace message: II have brought back ar
olive branch from the President"
Nor did he stop at that. With ever!
appearance Of sincerity and candor he pro
ceeded to demolish entirely the Lansing
Lewis Interpretation Of the peace note
Never since the beginning Of the war,
he added, "have the relations between
Germany and the United States been a.
cordial as they are now"
Before the war our relations with Ger
many were thoroughly smicable- The In
vasion Of Belgium clouded them. Ger
inany's many violations Of internationa'
law and her ruthless disregard Of the die
tates Of humanity in her treatment Of the
populations Of Belgium and OF those parts
Of France which her armies overran com
pletely estranged American sentiment,
Then came the illegal submarine campaign
and the Lusi,ania Massacre.
u