Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-02-20
The Presidents Responsibility.

II is extremely irritating to American prlde ana
harmful to American interests to have most Oh our
transatlantic merchant ships tied up IN nome pol'S
through fear of venturing unarmed ana uhpro-
tected into the submarine danger zone winch Ter
many has Iawessly proclaimed. 1t is unthlnkaOle'
moreover that this condition OF affairs VIII De SUI
fered to continue indefinitely, or even many DAYS
longer. If the problem remains unsolved' the Gov
eminent will be constrained to act; and we may be
sure that at proper moment it will act with due
vigor.
Bur il should be borne constantly in MIND that
false or too hasty step this critical juncture is
the one thing above all else which the United States
should beware Of and which the President is deter
mined to avoid Those impatient persons who
would hurry him into precpitate action forget the
tremendous responsibility he BEARS and they forget
Furthermore that he is In better position than
any one else to and foresee what should be done
There is sound reason and canny judgment
doubt in his hestancy at this time to supply mer-
chant ships with guns from Government arsenals
and with gunners from the navy. That course
warranted though it would be as matter of law
and right, if adopted Immediately might give
Germany the excuse, or the pretext, which she
now wholly lacks in her affair with the United
States. The President is determined that if war
must come the responsibility shall rest upon
s Germany Just as plainly and fnescapably as 1t
rests upon her for the present state of affairs.
He is unwilling therefore, to take any prema-
ture step which even remotely might place this
nation in the role of aggressor or preclpltate
bostilities which by any honorable means whatso-
ever could be avoided.
There have been other crises, dangerous
crises in the relations between the United States
and Germany during the last two years, but never
before a crisis so dangerous and dark as the
hog folyn he
step short of war 1t has broken diplomatic rela-
tions with Germany altogether, thus removing all
means for further parley negotiation. Hence
forward words lose their efficacy, and acts be-
come supremely important. President Wilson has
wisely resolved that in all the United States does
in this period of tension and peril there shall be
nothing blameful either before the bar of inter
national opinion before the bar of history. At
anv moment Germany through her constituencies
submarine campaign may destroy an American
shin and American lives, thereby committing the
covert act' which will force our nation to meas
uras of the last resort. Whatever Germany may
do whatever the United States may do, there can
he no more discussion between Washington and
berlin II is on deeds and deeds alone that the
;ssue of war or peace now hangs, with all the vast
consequence involved.
The President is eminently right therefore, in
proceeding deliberately and with scrupulous eau
ton That the present restraint upon our ship
ming is insufferable and must be- relieved by
means or another, every American knows. But
il is for the President to determine just what
means this side of actual shall be adopted to
protect our interests and indicate our rights and
keep the nations honor unsullied Feeling the re-
sponsibility as he does and seeing into the depths
of the situation as he does, he may be depended
upon to do what is just and wise for the nation.
In so tense and fateful period as this, it is the
part of good Americanism TO stand thoughtfully
back of the Government, not to demand preciptate
action.