Middletown transcript., 1917-02-10
MIpDLETOWN, DEL, FEB. 10, 1917
GERMANY MEANS WAR

TWO years ago the treacherous Ger,
i man ambassador Bernstor1t mao
the impudence to announce that his
murderous Nation was about to sink
the passenger ship Lusitania, and
warned all Americans not to exercise
their lawful rights to travel on the free
ocean by taking passage thereon.
The world will never forget the cow
ardly sinking by German submarine
assassins, of that boat and the drowning
or killing of 1850 men, women and chill
dren-including 40 babes in their
mothers arms
Altho l15 of these victims OF this
boasted "furor Teutonicus" were
Americans, to the ineffaceabe shame
of this administration, Mr.. Wilson did
nothing for nearly two years but
scribble weak notes, and worse still,
suffered that assassin Bernstorff to re-
main as the guest of this country until
a few days ago, when upon Germany $
declaration of a purpose to slaughter
everything sailing on the ocean, all neu-
trails and even the wounded in hospital
ships, Mr.. Wilson gave him his pass
ports. and recalled our Minister Gerard
from Berlin.
Since giving a year, ago her lying
pledge not to kill any more Amerlcans'
Germany has slain many of our citizens,
and only the other day submarine
murderer shelled an open boat filled
with sailors escaped from their torpe-
doed vessel killing numbers, among
them another American.
But Mr.. Wilson is still too proud te
fight unless Germany declares war, II
which event the anger of our people
will compel him to do something besides
write notes.
But The Transcript believes German!
in her utter desperation means to maxi
this open war upon us. At this writing
Tuesday night, nothing is known as t
her purpose, but the fact that he
agents have sunk, fired or damaged
large number of their vessels interned i
this country, warrants the belief tina
this wholesale sabotage was not don
bv few German enthusiasts on thel
own motion, by orders from Berlin, 10
lowing a carefully prearranged schem
TO disable all these vessels the momer
it was decided by the Kaiser to declaf
war on the United States.
The damaging Of these vessels to tf
extent of many millions, while a gro'
insult to this country, would not, amour
to cause of war, but does seem to II
dictate Germany intentions. We shs
soon see. Meanwhile, this is our que
that war with Germany is inevltabl
Neither great craftsmanship nor WI
dom was needed two years ago, to p'
orr almost defenceless country IN
position to protect itself against forelg
insult and outrage only ordinary pr
dence. And it is amazing that att
ak months of such plain warning
that given by the war in Europe, Nj
Wilson and the Democratic Congre
should have persisted in opposing al
increase in the army or navy-nay, tn
they should even have done nothing f
nearly two years after Germany beg'
killing Americans on the high seas
But altho this wretched folly has lie
our land dlsgracefully unprepared
defend itself, still, now that Mr.. Wills
has at last acted with patriotic spir
done something beside write fooli
notes. all Americans, regardless
party, will to man stand back Of hi
and warmly uphold him in protecting
honor of our Nation and the lives a
property Of our citizens.
The Delaware legislature has join
those Of the other states in profferl
the president their fullest allegIar
and support. Thus we are all for pre-
dent Wilson now , And may God So
our Commonwealth
444E tn AcCNlDr