Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-04-02
WHERE We STAND

Of representatives is perfected congress will receive from
the president a statement Of the reasons for which the
session is held at this time. Without doubt there will
be a statement of facts, a review Of the developments
since the beginning Of the war. Probably this will be
given in some detail. so that there may be nothing lack
ing in the foundation which Is built for the recommends
tons which are to be made.
It is manifestly impossible for the general public to
keep in mind all the details Of these developments: but
it is important. it is essential to our clear understanding
Of the situation, that we keep in mind some Of the more
conspicuous and significant things that have occurred
during these thrty-two months.
The war had been in progress but a few months
when Germany gave notice of her purpose to use her sub
marines vigorously to prevent ocean traffic to and from
the ports Of her enemies, and while she disavowed all de-
sire to injure the shipping Of neutrals. she made it clear
that neutrals could insure their safety only by avoiding
the waters where she had chosen to operate.
The United States promptly responded. Germany
was reminded Of the rules observed by all civilized ma
tons. which. among other things, forbade the destruction
Of the merchant vessels of any nation. neutral or belliger-
ent, without proper warning. and without ample provision
being made for the safety Of all on-combatants The
German government was notified that 1t would be held to
a 'strict accounta bility' for the loss Of American lives
or the destruction Of American property in pursuance Of
Germany's illegal purpose.
Much correspondence resulted. Several American
ships were attacked, some OF them destroyed. and a few
Americans were killed. Germany explained. expressed
regret, and, without directly declaring intent to modify
her policy, left it to be understood that such modification
was possible. Then came the sinking Of the Lusitania,
which shocked the world with its enormity. Confronted
with the demand that the act be disavowed, Germany
parted and equivocated, and set up one fimsy defense
after another, each Of which was abandoned as its flu
tility was shown. Still there remained the hope that
when the case was stripped down to Its bare essentials,
Germany would agree to be governed by the rules of CIV
liked society.
Months Of correspondence followed. Fresh incidents
occurred to dash to the ground the hopes Of those who
still believed that peace was possible. Then came the
sinking of the Sussex. a repetition of the Lusitania case
on a smaller scale. and President Wilson sent to Germany
a eremptory note In which the entire history Of Ger
many's illegal warfare was reviewed, and Germany was
notified that unless she should Immediately declare and
effect an abandonment of her illegal practices the Uni
ted States would sever all diplomatic relations with her.
This brought from Germany the desired promise,
coupled with the condition that the United States should
secure from Great Britain the cessation Of certain prac-
tees by that nation of which Germany complained. The
president accepted the promise, but rejected the condi-
ton. To that note no reply was ever made.
For some months the submarine campaign was al
lowed to lag. There were sinkinss and killings, but
Americans escaped. There was just enough compliance
with the requirements to furnish some basis for hope
that further trouble might be averted and Just enough
lack of complete compliance to keep the situation full
of anxiety. Then came the note of January 81, declaring
that on the following day the work Of destruction would
.. -ssarnsA 40 all is rr+hs.-v-.s., ana III neutrals were
warned. on peril of their lives. to keep away from those
parts Of the ocean anywhere near France and the British
Isles.
within the United States. Plots were Matched by such
agents in this country for the destruction of railway and
canal property in Canada. A campaign of secret agtta-
ton was set on foot for the instigation Of strikes in Amer
lean Industrial plants. American property was DESTROYED
by some of these agents, and numerous cases of this ma
ture were traced directly to representatives Of the Ger
man and Austrian governments. Because Of his activity
the Austrian ambassador was dismissed long ago. but in
order to avoid adding to the international complications,
his offense. which was distinctly official, as he was obey
ing the orders Of his government, was treated as a per-
sonal matter. and it was not made an issue between the
two governments.
with this recorc of wanton destruction of American
ana sacrthco OF American lives, and with it's
record Of moro thIn two years Of unlawful and. unfriend-
ly interference in the domestic affairs of the United States,
the German government had, in all it's correspondence,
continued to express sentiments Of the warmest friend
ship toward the United States. This was the case with
tho final note Of January 81. notwithstanding the fact
that some two weeks earlier the German foreign minis
ter had instructed his representative in Mexico to- seek
an alliance With Mexico and Japan in a war upon the
United Slater II this country undertook to resist the Ger
man edict.
The whole course Of Germany toward the United
States, therefore,, ever since the war began. has been mark
ed by fair words. equivocal promises, evasions, excuses,
falsehoods. secret treachery. and open and murderous
And with this experience the American gov
conscious Of the futiNty Of further negotiations,
severed its relations with Germany.
Since that time, nearly two months ago, American
ships have been attacked and destroyed. and American
have been endangered and killed, without warn
Ing, without provocation and without excuse. The Ger
government has demonstrated the innexibiity Of It's
purpose to carry out, at all hazards, the atrocious pur-
pose which it has announced. This is a brief summary
OF the appalling record upon which the American con-
gress must now act. Friendship toward a government
whose acts have been consistently unfriendly ID impossi-
BILE. There remains nothing but to accept the conditions
which Germany has made. and to acquit ourselves man.
fully in the war which she has forced upon US.
THE SITUATION UNCHANGED
The great Townley meeting at Grand Forks is over.