Grand Forks herald., 1917-02-02
DISMISS THE AMBASSADOR,

of either a megaphonc or a parrot.
-----------------"
DISMISS THE AMBASSADOR.
Whatever further steps may be de-
cided on as necessary, the immediate
dismissal of the German ambassadu
and the immediate recall of our own
ambassado: from Berlin are essential
to the maintenance of our own self
respect and to our retention of the re-
spect of others.
Last year, after a long interchange
of communications, in which protest
after protest from the United States
was followed by evasions and excuses
from Germany, the American govern
ment presented to Germany the fol-
lowing ultimatum:
Unless the imperial govern
ment should now Immediately de-
clare and effect an abandonment
of it's present methods Of subma-
rine warfare against passenger
and freight carrying vessels, tho
government Of the United States
can have no choice but to sever
diplomatic relations with the Ger
man empire altogether.
Germany promised to mend her
ways. The promise was grudgingly
given. 1t was coupled with conditions
which the United States could not
was, the promise was given. There
has been at least such an appearance
of observance as has served to pre-
vent an open rupture, and to color
with some appearance of reason the
renewal of correspondence over fresh
cases in which the United States has
had further grounds for complaint
But such promises as were then
made are now bluntly and defiantly
withdrawn. and Germany announces
without reserve her entry upon a ca
reer of murder and piracy on the
high seas, regardless Of the national
ity, age, sex or condition Of those who
dare disobey her edicts.
The situation, so far as this nation
is concerned. reverts to the status
which existed when the note which
contained the above ultimatum was
penned, with an important difference.
At that time Germany had made no
definite statement of her promise. She
had temporized. She had professed
a desire to be guided by internation-
al law and regard for human rights.
She had undertaken to explain that
one ship which she had sunk was
armed; that another was running
away; that the identity Of another had
not been clearly distinguished; that
a German commander had exceeded
his instructions. And the American
note was penned to assure Germany
that no more time must be wasted
and that If there were not instant
compliance we could no longer treat
with her on terms of friendship.
That note having been sent, it was
necessary that there should be allow
ed a reasonable time for reply. The
commission Of a further act of un-
lawful violence must have terminated
our relations with her, but so long as
Germany did nothing, it was neces-
sary to wait some days for her re-
sponse. A refusal could have had but
one result. That refusal has now
been received
We were assured by Germany in
her reply to the note from which the
quotation is made that her compli-
ance was temporary and conditional,
and that she held herself at liberty
to withdraw it. Her withdrawal leaves
the situation, then, not as it was while
the president was waiting for q reply,
but as it would have been had that
reply been received, and had 1t been a
flat and defiant refusal to comply
with the demands
We have told Germany in SO many
words that II she failed at once to
make certain promise, and to carry
that promise into effect, our relations
with her would be severed. The par
tial promise which she made has now
peen withdrawn and we have before
US her distinct avowal of determine
ton to proceed Immediately with the
work Of indiscriminate destruction in
manner and on scale SURPRISING
anything that has gone before.
Under these circumstances no
course is open to us short of that
which we gave our solemn assurance
would be followed. We must sever
our relations with Berlin without
waiting for the actual performance
Of that which Berlin threatens.
That step may mean war. It is all
most certain to mean war. And war
is something that no rational being
can contemplate without horror. But
a greater evil that war is cowardly
evasion Of the duties for the perform
ance Of which nations exist, the de-
liberate and pusillanimous reputation
of the obligations to its own citizens
and to the world under which every
nation rests, and which no nation can
repudiate without bringing upon it,
self the condemnation Of history and
the contempt Of mankind.
Persons who like distinctly seasonal
weather in winter should be satisfied.