The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1917-02-15
The SeYerance OF Old LES.

ihlEG that IN nCnoT CCuId Oe dohe un
der the circumstances. To have re-
tanned friendly relations with Germany
si,er the notice Of January 81, issued
in deliberate defnance ct our warning
the Su sex case, would have been a
shameful subserv'ence to the dictates
Of form Of prudence tina, is dttt 'uIt
TO distinguish from cowardce. 1t
weuld have betn withdraw iT,m the
righteous position taken By US at the
beginning Of the submarine controyer
81; an abandonment of American rights
and OF the rights OF all humanity upon
the high seas, a surrender Of principles
Of interna,ioal justice and equity that
are essential to international intercourse
an abasement Of a nation that has faced
every difficulty that has confronted it
in its career with dignity and courage.
Germany knew and had weighed the
consequences OF its decision TO aband-
on the rules Of law aud the principles
Of humanity. II expected nothing less
than the servance Of those relations,
relations Of blood as well as Of CONNER
cial and political interest that have
bound the two countries together from
their beginnings 1t had counted the
cost, immediate and future OF this
breaking Of immemorial ties; the cost
OF our enmity, passive or active; and it
deliberately abandoned the sentiments
Of friend; ship, the policies Of mutual
interest the solemn promises it had
made, and the instincts Of humanity
to embark upon course Of ruthless
and indscriminate destruction. There
could be but one answer 10 this and
the president has given it,
The severance OF diplomatic rela,i-
ons is Iormality by which one nation
expresses displeasure with the conduct
Of another without going TO the length
Of active hostility. 1t is not neccess
arily preliminary TO war. 1t has oc'
cured without serious consequences,
But when it grows out of continuing
ofiense, when the offending nation an
nounces its determination to persist in
its ofenses and 10 commit them with
greater frequency and violence than
before, there can be little hope for
maintenance OF passive conditions,
With that nation hurting itself in Der.
serker rage upon the commerce Of all
countries including our own, destroy
ing the ships, the goods and the lives
OF friends and foe indiscrminately, it is
unreasonable 10 expect that We can a.
void a stale Of war although actual
conflict Of proportions may be prevent.
ed by the peculiar circumstances thai,
exist.
The president has spoken with the
voice OF the American people. There
is, there can be no significant opposi
ton 10 the stand he has taken, and
having taken it the country will be be-
hind him as one man in support Of the
consequences, whatever they may be
And yet there is no gladness in feeling.
Anger there is tha, this should be
brought to pass, hu; it is an anger
mixed with sorrow and regret. America
does not seek war. I, has no ambition
that war can assist. 1T would much
prefer to be the friend OF all natl n.
particularly Of a nation whose blood
SO plentiIu ly and richly mingled with
its own. We have endeavcred through
two years Of unexampled patience anG
forbearance to maintain our friendshll
with Germany. That Is now broken
is due TO no act, no word Of ours Yet
il is broken, and no one can now say
what the break will lead. The i'm.
mediate future is filed with possiJil i
es that only the young and needles.
cln contemplate with pleasure. Bu'
wh,tever it holds the American people
Wi meet with the courage, and fdeli J
and the loyalty that has ever dis,lngui
shed them Globe Democrat.
The Effect on Business.