New Britain herald., 1917-02-02

part of this Government has been marvellous, rivaled only by that of Job. And at the end of all this en- deavor we find Germany in February 1917 starting out to complete what 1t began in February 1915. The nasty, the feverish, the impatient souls will demand discontinuance of the habit of forebearance which has seemingly grown as a trait of nature at the White House. But the cool, the calm, the collected will stand still and await developments, will watch and wait for the next move of this Government and the consequences that take place after that action: Having kept out of war this long there Is no desire on the part of the President to rush poll mell into conf1agratfon the end of which no man can yet see.
 On April 19, 1916. President Wilson stood before the joint Houses Of Con- gress, and read an ultimatum which was sent to Germany in the now fam ous Sussex case. At that time the German Government was told that unless 1t should immediately declare and effect an abandonment of it's pre- talent methods of warfare against passenger and freight carrying ves- sells the Government of the United States could "have no choice but the severance of diplomatic rela- tions." Germany replied in time, gave her pledge that the laws of cruiser warfare would be adhered to, that tho rights of neutral nations would be respected, and that the lives of .non- -combatant men, women and children would be protected on the high seas. Since that time there has not been ono overt act committed by Germany which would merit dis pleasure in the eyes of any court of justice In these United States. If there have been surrept1tious sinkings of neutral ships with the loss of lives these infringements of international law have not come to tho public gaze, no proof has been advanced that such crtmes wore committed. Thus Ger manly has proven she can live up to her pledges, despite what is now taken as an attempt to concel the assurances and guarantees given in the answer to tho Sussex note.
 If Germany Is impetuous it is be- cause she is fighting for her very ex- istence. She cannot see why citizens of the United States would want to rove the. high seas just when her submarines might be at the task of destroying all ships carrying goods to England, or France or any of the allied countries. She cannot imagine 1 why Americans should insist upon travelling the lanes of the Atlantic | of submarine activity. And so would drive our people and our ships from the high seas for the benefit of her own expediency, which has the re- semblance of a natural trait of some nations and some men. All this she would do, nor call 1t war against the United States, excusing her stand by designating it method to "serve mankind in the highest sense and not to wrong the German people," Nor would the United Stotes be the only neutral nation affected should this proposed campaign go into effect with all the ruthlessness outlined. Every neutral nation in the world is vitally interested in a plan that will drive merchantmen from the seas and send innocent men, women and children to watery graves.
 So, 1t cannot be- And Germany will be told so by this Government. Until the President officially takes action there Is no time for idle talk or bonn bastic antics. The Roosevelts and the Roots and the other racuous voices of the country may shout and below to their hearts content; but the serious minded will have none of their rantings and rawlings. William Ran
 
 l against Woodrow Wilson as any of | his political enemies urges American 1 citizens to stand solidly back of the } President in his efforts to maintain l peace. In praising the Presidents de- l liberate discussion of international 1 difficulties and differences, Mr. 1 Hearst says:-"Notes are better than | bullets; ink is cheaper than blood and if there had been more writing in 1 fighting" The pen and ink are stil
 at hand and their use should have the right of way over the boomine
 cannon. When writing fails it is time
 to take to fighting The next note l yXyV~i tnr, c1, !,