Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-02
More i'riniitfuIneSS

\Y/OODROW WILSON'S prcsci.n, wisdom
w was never displayed Ia better advantage
ti.;n when he permitted Count Won Dcrnstorff
10 set beyond the boundaries of the United
states before making public final proof of
lernstorfs gross betrayal of faith. If the
,."oplo OF this country had known that the
German ambassador had been engaged in
inakiug war on the government To which he
was accredited, which had given him Its hos
ita'ity and surrounded him with diplomatic
privilege and immunity. there would have
been such an outburst OF public indignation
night have rendered his protection difficult.
II goes without saying that when Foreign
Minister Iimmermanus note. instructing the
Naiser's representative al Washington to in
cite Mexico and Japan tn war against this
uatiou. came into Mr.. Wilson's possession.
the severance Of diplomatic relations with
Germany assured The resumption OF
submarine ruthlcssncss. cravey as that
ton shocked humanity aud violated law, was
swallowed up in an ofionsc Of greater mag
nitudr
or course. the country long had suspected
that the German embassy WAS the center. the
inspiration aud tho paymaStcr Of innumcrabe
plots against the peace and dignity of tho
United States II is fair 10 assume that the
White House and the State Department were
II possession OF evidence which strengthened
II "icion into practical or complete certainty.
This latest highest crime. however. we do
pot believe even Mr. Wilson suspected. until
the Zimmerman letter was placed in his
hands
In retrospect it is easy TO credit anything.
:or may buttross our recently acquired
knowledge with long understanding of Ger
man ethics and methods: but this newspaper,
"a, least. had been unwilling Ia believe that
,rc born in the very atmosphere oil diplo-
acy. who had married an American woman.
wno had boCn the recipient of many honors
bestowed hy this people, whose social rcla-
,ions at Washington had been of the kindcst
3i.d whose official career of the most distm-
.ushcd. could far forget his duty
diplomat and his honor as a man.
W. do no, share the regrets. which some
lave expressed. that Bcrnstorms iniqutics
h&vc been published To the world. Rather
do w rejoice at this unvcilng and find III
il OF first and only satisfaction in the course
Congress has pursued. Secret diplomacy has.
OF should have. no part in American states
mans'ip. Across the sea VIC glimpse the CORY
horrors which are its Inevitable product. As
dcspisc it, We should seek To destroy
II We have no reason. certainly. for hiding
tie evidence OF what sensible men to-day
have come 10 look on AS = crime. particularly
when ii is 4 crime against ourselves. we'll
;,@ against humanity At large. Let the world
know what Germany has sought to do-to
wh, further depths she has been willing to
descend,
In Congress. meantime. the shouting and
II" tulnu dies, for III" motley who
huyo been opposing Mr.. Wilson find il discreet
- 50 into ., least partial retirement. As
rejoice III the humiliation OF Germany. 50 we
r jocr Ia their humiliation. Perhaps they
wil learn iroin this incident 10 trust the
resident to credit his statement tina, :; ma
tiol crisis exists and. with loyal hearts. 10
measure up - their responsibilities rs repre-
-. ta,iycs OF the American people.
Il may TO the government is waiting to
hear from the ADMINISTRATIVE Board before
1t ac'e on the submarine question.