The Washington herald., 1917-04-02
America and the World-War
AS Judged by the Editors

plight of having all the world against 1t.
Not Washington. but Berlin, arraigns the
German foreign secretary for having
committed a blunder which throws all
the previous follies of even German dip
lonacy into the shade. Herr Zimmer-
manns defense. yesterday. Of his plan to
array Mexico and Japan against the
United States was a miracle Of inepti-
tude. His principal complaint was that
his inculpatory dispatch had fallen into
the hands Of the American government
and been made public But for that, all
would have been well; and he is 'investi-
eating" the circumstances under which
the worst error that a diplomat can make
being found out in a secret intrigue
came to be fastened upon him. That
really will make little difference in the
adverse opinion of Germans, one of whom
in the Reichstag openly taunted the COW
ernment with having been guilty, in this
business, of gross stupidity. 1t is this
new freedom of utterance in Germany
which is the significant thing. The press
Is saying things of the boldest sort,
which little time ago would have been
impossible. The whole is clearly trace
able to the upheaving effect of the Rus
sian revolution. In time. this must affect
the morale of the German people, includ-
ing the army. They used to speak proud
ly of German soldiers as thinking bay
onets." What the bayonets are thinking
today may be guessed from the trepida-
tion shown by the government itself
The President's War Plans.
Boston Transcript)
The Presidents war plans they have
been taking shape In his mind for the
last fortnight are on this wise according
to news agencies under the censorship of
the government, and therefore presum-
ably semi-official:
/. A declaration of war against Ger
many by Congress, as soon after the or
ganization Of that body as the adoption
of the resolution is possible. Doubtless
the form of the declaration will be the
same as that used at the time of the war
with Spain, the civil war and the other
wars Of the United States-which Is also
the usual form among nations-a declara-
ton that a state OF war has existed since
certain fixed date. International author
tiles agree that there is no difference in
effect between declaring war and declar-
ing the existence OF a state of war, and
Congress is expected to follow the habit
ual form.
,. Complete cooperation on the sea
with the allied fleets, having as a main
objective the German subma rines Such
cooperation would naturally take the
form of a joint patrol OF the trans Allan
tic lanes Of commerce and the Use of
conveys where the naval authorities
think 1t wise. Our part in these operations
will necessarily be limited by the small
force of vessels now on our navy list
suitable and available for this purpose.
3. Immediate financial assistance to
France and possibly to all our allies in
generous measure in one or more OF a
number of ways now under consideration
at the White House. The method and
amount OF such assistance will depend
upon the favor with which the specific
program to be recommended is received
at the Capitol
4. The raising OF an army OF 1000, ,OOC
men and the use of the regular army. into
which will be absorbed the National
Guard as training school for the volun-
teers called to the colors. To recruit, Of
ficer. train, arm and otherwise equip
such an army is a tremendous task, and
the hope long held is latterIy developing
into belief that the President will rec
ommend to Congress some form Of uni
versal service.
5. No Diplomatic alliance with the al
lies at present beyond the understanding
essential to absolute harmony of purpose
and uniformity OF plan. in order that our
assistance in men. money and materials
may attain the maximum effective
ness. =