The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1917-03-29
CASE AGAINST GERMANY IS
MADE STRONGER

As far as practical purposes are con
cerned, II can make little differenc
whether the United States declares
war against Germany or simply reeog
nizes the existence OF a state Of war
The latter course, however is better
calculated 10 keep the record straight.
The truthful historian will be bound
TO record that Germany began the war
when she made her first illegal attack
upon merchantmen, endangering the
lives OF American citizens, and, In sub
sequent instances OF the kind, murder
Ing them outright Ample notice had
been served upon the German govern
ment that such conduct could not be
regarded as other than act Of war.
Upon Germany. therefore. must fall
the condemnation for committing the
first hostile act and by recognizing a
state Of war congress win merely be
placing the blame where il belongs.
IL is unthinkable. as we view it, that
congress can fail to take steps for
holding Germany 70 strict accountable
ity for her wanton invasion Of Ameri-
can rights and this means nothing
more nor less than that the msiled
fist must be used. since the ruling
spirits in Berlin have proved impervi.
OILS 10 the patient appeals Of reason
and humanity
The case Of the United States against
Germany presents cumulative evidence
which leaves no question concerning
what the verdict should be. The prin-
ciples Of international law upon which
me American objection TO the German |
method OF sea warfare ia based have
been threshed out so often that fur
iher discussion OF them is futile. How
ever. If any shadow OF doubt remain
I'd 10 the mind OF any American citi
zen that the course President Wilson
has taken is in strict accord with the
requirements OF law and justice. the
note which Secretary Lansing sent to
Berlin this week In reply to the re
quest for the reaffirmation Of the trea-
ties Of 1898 and 1S4S must serve to dis
pe such This note has not attracted
4ng great amount OF attention but It
merits careful consideration as show
Ing that Germany's course has not only
been IN violation OF the general princi.
pies OF conduct among civilized ma
Hons but has been in direct conflict n
With the terms of her own treaties
with this country
In the note referred to Mr.. Lansing
lhows conclusively that Germany has !
repeatedly and flagrantly violated the
reaties which she now has the affront.
Try to ask us to lsaffirm To assume
hat the German authorities make (
'uch request through more stupidity, (
that the American govern /
hNiiN ~ hAtaN0At VI tnN HHnhlQily W
IS attitude, is to unduly discredit the
of the men directing the
'ourse Of Germany; ii can only be at
rIbuted to the moral obliquity which
las marked their diplomacy through.
nut so many of the negotiations in con.
lection with the war Mad militarism
las cast to the winds all ethical consid-
'ratons in fatuons attempts to justify
Is crimes.
To make It clear that Germany mas
onstrued her treaties with this coun-
ry as mere scraps OF paper" we
note two paragraphs from Secretary
lansing's note declining to discuss the
eaffirmation OF the treaties OF 1899
nd lS4S After referring to the sink
ng Of the American ship William p
rye, for the carriage Of contraband.
nd the destruction of numerous other
american vessels for similar reasons.
he secretary points out that such ac.