The Washington herald., 1917-02-07
The Reaction.

with America when it sent its
brusque, defiant submarine note to.
Washington, then only one thing
need be said-that German diplomacy
is the worst the world has seen since
ancient nations began to believe it
wise to cultivate good relations with
each other
1t is the antithesis Of the boasted
German efficiency" 1t is clumsy,
numbering, danger-point to the
German people md an affront to
mankind
German diplomacy has borne the
blame of causing the central powers
to play lone hand against the
world. Its latest achievement is to
cast the United States into the lap
of Germany's enemies. There is evil
dence now that her people are be-
ginning to rebel.
Yesterday there came from many
sources strange message from Ber-
lin-that Germany regretted" the
step the American government had
taken, that she did not intend her
blockade program that way, that per-
haps things between the two nations
might be patched up.
Hope leaped high as these flashes
came that war will yet be averted.
The tension perceptibly relaxed. The
atmosphere last night was filled with
peace talk" and the conviction gain
ed ground that Germany would take
some step in retraction of her def
ance of the neutral world contained
in her note.
The Wilhelmstrasse may have
thought the Washington government
dominated by spineless pacihsm ready
to swallow any insult. 1t may have
become so calloused intellectually as
not to realize the inevitable effect of
its new policy. There is evidence to
support the latter contention in the
brusque, cynical treatment of the
Presidents peace program contained
in the first section of its memoran-
dunn.
In any event, it knows better now.
The United States has spoken and
the German Empire is beginning to
realize what a tremendous blow has
been struck against it. 1t knows that
if it drives America to war, the re-
sources of the allies will be doubled
overnight. 1t knows this nation can
mobilize money, munitions, supplies,
and men in way which will make
even Europe gasp with awe.
Therefore, it has decided to retreat.
1t repents, probably, the utter yield
ing to the Hindenburg-Tirpitz ex-
tremists who forced it to adopt the
lawless U-boat policy 1t would like
to wipe it off the slate if it could;
finding that impossible, the next best
thing it to placate America by TAX
ing such good care of its shipping
that the awakened dogs of war will
be held in leash. .s-
So far as America is concerned,
no news could be more welcome.
Our people will await some paci6ca-
tory move on Germanys part with
eagerness; there is no cheap jingoism
here, no lust for war, no desire to
-smite the central empires, The last
four days have gone deep to the
hearts of the American people. They
have been hard days. No screech of
spread-eagleism has been heard the
length and breadth of the land.
Germany has still a chance to save
the situation if she wills it so. God
grant that she may. 1t will revive
our waning faith in the German peo-
pie; create in US reservoir Of friend
ship, which will stand the Teuton in
good stead when his enemies begin
to demand dividends on their present
mighty investment of blood and
treasure to preserve their civilization
against a power which has utterly
put its trust in "reeking tube and
iron shard"