The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-06-10
BAD FAITH OF
GERMANY WAS
ANTICIPATED
BY MINISTER
Bernstorff Knew Kaiser New
er Meant to Keep Promises
to U. S., Secretary Lansing
Says in Address.
CAN Be NO COMPROMISE
(By Associated Press)

SCHENECTADY, n. Y, June 10
-Prussiau and the idea OF enduring
peace among nations can never De
brought into harmony; compromise
cannot even be considered" Robert
Lansing, secretary of state, declared
here today in an address as honorary
chancellor Of Union College for 1918.
Instance after instance from his own
experience at the head Of Americas
foreign ofice were cited to prove his
point, because, he asserted, "Amerl-
cans, even those intellectually
equipped. have but vague ideas OF the
attitude which made Prussianism pos
sible."
1T is a fact not generally known,
said Secretary Lansing. that witnln
six months after the imperial govern
ment had. in the case OF the sussex
given this government its solemn
promise that it would cease ruthless
slaughter upon the high seas. Count
Bernstorff, appreciating the worthless
ness of the promise. asked the Berlin
foreign Office to advise him In ample
time before the campaign or suoma-
rine murder was renewed in order tnat
he hight notify the German merchant
ships in American ports to destroy
their machinery, because he anticlpat.
ed that the renewal OF that method
of warfare would, in all probability,
bring the United States into the war.
Knew Hun Policy.
How we'll the ambassador knew
the character IL his government ana
how perfectly frank he was. He asked
for the information without apology
or indirecton The very bluntness OF
his message shows he was sure his SUI
periors would not take offense at the
assumption that their word was valu-
less and had only been given to gain
time and that, when an increase OF
Germany's submarine fleet warranted.
the promise would be broken without
hesitation or compunction. what
commentary on Bernstorff's estimate
of the sense OF honor and good faith
of his government.
I'm view of this spirit of hypocracy
and bad faith. manifesting an entire
lack Of conscience we ought not to
be astonished that the Berlin foreign
Office never permitted promise or
treaty engagement to stand in the
way Of course Of action which the
German government deemed expedi-
ent. need not cite as proof of this
fact the fragrant violations Of the
treaty neutralizing Belgium and the
recent treaty Of Brest-Litovsk. This
discreditable characteristic of German
foreign policy was accepted by Ger
man diplomats as a matter of course
and as a natural if not praisworthy
method Of dealing with other govern
ments.'
The causes of the war, Mr. Lansing
said, were simply the German desire
for world dominion.
German Cupidity Excited.
THAT was and is the central
thought OF Prussianism," he said. 1T
excited the cupidity OF the governing
and wealthy classes Of the empire; it
dazzled with it's anticipated glories
and by it's promise of boasted racial
superiority the German millions who
were to be the instrument OF achieve
ment. With a devotion and zeal wor-
thy of better cause. they turned their
energy into those channels which
would aid the ruling class.
I'VE must go on with the war.
There is no other way. This task
must not De left half done. We must
not transmit to posterity legacy of
blood and misery. We may In this
great conflict go down into the valley
OF shadows because our foe Is power
full and Injured to war. We must be
prepared to meet disappointment and
temporary reverse, but we must, with
American spirit, rise above them, with
courageous hearts we must go for
ward until this war is won"