The Washington times., 1917-02-11
AN AUDACIOUS SUGGESTION

The. report that Germany now
seeks to have this country arbitrate
its national honor for the sake of
averting a declaration of war with
Germany bears all the earmarks of
pro-German or ultra-pacifist propa-
ganda. No authority has been given
for the report, the source of the in
formation is not divulged. Denial
that any communication has been
addressed to this country on the sub
ject is made at the White House, a:
the State Department, and at the
Swiss legation, through which such
proposals would come.
One Washington correspondent as
serts that three persons were cogni-
zant of plans for placing the "story"
and that it was inspired" He states
that Count Won Bernstorff, William
]. Bryan, and United States Sena-
tor know most about the basis of
the rumor. Whether this be true
or not it is apparent that it comes
from some sources interested in re-
newing the discussion between this
country and Germany, and in open
ing the way for further quibbling
over our rights on the high seas.
1t matters little whether the story
is put forward as a "feeler" by
German sympathizers or by the rem
nants of the peace at any price"
contingent, or whether Germany seri-
ously is trying to impede further ac-
ton by an appeal to these fast
dwindling elements in the United
States.
Fortunately this country has be-
come so deeply aroused, has been
made to think so clearly, has had
It's slumbering patriotism so thor
oughly aroused, that such a proposal
will not for a moment befuddle the
issue in the mind of any thinking
American. GERMANY is playing h-r
last card in the military necessity"
by which she fiouts all international
law and all principles of humanity.
Military experts afree she is fight
ing with her back to the wall. She
had to strike quick if her superior
organization was to be rendered ef-
fective against the greater staying
power of the allied nations, just as
she believed she had to strike quick
at the beginning of the war and ruth
lessly sacrificed Belgium to do it.
If she wins her last hand, in the
submarine blockade, she must have
figured that she could afford to Sac
rifice the slender ties that still OBJ
tanned in her diplomatic relations
with this country. If she loses aid
this country enters the war with the
allies the struggle of attrition would
be made shorter if this country were
to give financial and military as
sistance to the allies. That is why
Germany does not mind severing Dip
lomatic relations with US, but is in
clined to play safe when it comes
to courting a declaration of war.
Misguided and spineless must be
the Americans who would now seek
to compromise American honor. This
Government not only has commit
ted itself to defend its rights
against German ruthlessness by
breaking off diplomatic relations, but
it has appealed to neutrals the world
over to do the same thing.
From high Government officials the
has been met With the scorn
it deserves. 1t is announced that |
this Government is going right ahead
with preparations for a war in case
Germany commits any overt act.
Having committed the nation to a
definite course, having heard the |
unanimous response of a nations |
gratitude for such a stand, having |
declared to the world where <e
stand, no member of this Admins
tration is likely to fly in the face of |
these facts to heed either wild and |
rumors put forth by Count |
Won Bernstortf, or an impudent pro-
posal of Germany that we write fur
ther notes about a studied deliber-
ate, carefully planned insult.
The California belligerents are still |
denouncing the Devil and all his
Works.