GERMANY AND AMERICA.

Southland Times, Issue 17483, 26 July 1915, Page 4

GERMANY AND AMERICA.

Germany’s reply to the first American Note in regard to the sinking ol the Lusitania and other acts in connection with Germany’s submarine warfare involving attacks either upon. American ships or American lives, was a mixture of casuistry and evasion. In regard to the Lusitania statements were made that were absolutely false, and that must have been known to the Germans to be false if they were as well informed as they professed to be—as, for instance, that the Lusitania was armed and that if the submarine, or submarines, had come to the, surface to give warning, it, or they, would have been sunk. What might be regarded as a fairly full summary of the second American Note is given in this morning’s cables. It puts the position with great clear- ■ ness and force. Germany is told that neutrals have certain rights which cannot be ignored by belligerents, and that the acts of one belligerent do not excuse another belligerent for violating these rights. America holds that whatever Britain's policy may be in carrying on the naval war against Germany, Germany is not justified in attacking American ships or sacrificing the lives of American subjects. The Note in this respect disposes logically and convincingly of Germany’s plea of retaliation. Germany is warned that whatever Britain may do Germany cannot with impunity set at naught the rules of law and humanity. Germany’s proclamation of a "war zone” is invalidated by the principle of the freedom of the seas, upon which America declares she must insist “at any cost,” and the point is effectively made that since the sinking of the Lusitania, Germany has demonstrated that her submarine warfare can be carried on with due regard to the rights of' neutrals. Finally the statement is made in the frankesS terms that further acts entailing damage or loss to neutral shipping or the loss of American lives will be regarded by the United States as "deliberately unfriendly.” The Note will be read with universal satisfaction. It is firm and dignified, and it goes aa far as America is called to go at this stage. What the United States will do if “deliberately unfriendly” acts are committed, or whether anything will be done, is a matter about -which there may be differences of opinion, but America is not required to say whether she will go to war or whether she will merely break off diplomatic relations. The Note as it stands will be accejjted generally, and particularly in the British Empire, as adequate to the occasion. It will be noted with interest that President Wilson has called a conference at which the Secretaries of the Army and the Navy will attend with a view to putting the military and naval forces upon such a footing that the United States would he prepared for war if war should come. Undue significance may easily be given to this Conference, which certainly does not mean that the United States contemplates war. It does mean, however, that the possibility of war is being considered, and, of course, when a Power holding the position in the world that United States holds, declares that it will regard certain acts as “deliberately unfriendly,” it must if it expects to retain its prestige take appropriate measures for the protection of its interests if these acts are committed. The German vote is a powerful factor in American politics, and it has doubtless influenced America's attitude towards Germany in this war. The latest Note will not be received with favour by the German Americans, but j it looks as if. despite his desire not Ito alienate this section of his sup- | porters. President Wilson will be j forced into a conflict with them. If

it is true that the industrial troubles now being experienced in the munitions factories are the result ol a German propaganda, and that the plan to cut off an important source of the Allies’ munitions supplies extends to a plot to blow up some of the American factories, the President will be compelled by the necessity for enforcing the law to preserve peace and protect property to antagonise the German sympathisers who are so numerous in the States.