WHO ARE THE HUNS?

386 Exchange of German-American Notes,
that this question be not answered in a just and impartial
manner. x
It is significant that even the "Daily Telegraph" reports
from New York on June ist, 1915:
"The proposal of the German answer to the American note
is precisely the same method of procedure the application of
which has been urgently recommended by Bryan in all American
proposals and treaties of settlement."
In spite of this, President Wilson, the Apostle of Peace,
almost brought Germany and the United States to the verge
of war—even though the most primitive rules of justice would
have made it necessary to fulfil the duty of at least investigating,
however late in the day, those charges which clearly
proved England's breach of common as well as international
law. 2
In another note the American Government assumes
as its own standpoint the one-sided and illegal English contention,
so strenuously combated at the Hague and London
Conferences,—that "merchant vessels may be armed for their
1 If the news reported by the N. Y, "Fatherland" regarding the closing
down of the wireless stations at Sayville and Tuckerton be correct, we should
really be justified in assuming that the pacifistic Wilson has in mind a policy
of sheer provocation similar to that of Signor Salandra—and is deliberately
forcing a war. Bryan's honorable resignation would in this case, appear in
a still more favorable light.
1 Wilson, in his note of the 23rd of July, 1915, likewise obstinately
refuses in any way to consider the decisive facts. He persistently doctrinizes
like a professor, declaring that an American may remain at his pleasure within
the theatres of war. Why does not Wilson make the same representations to
that really scientifically-minded press of America which rejected as ridiculous
these very contentions when applied in the case of Belgium, Northern France
and Russia ? He will not acknowledge that in view of England's lawless misuse
of flags and the ramming of submarines by merchant-ships, it would be suicidal
for the German U-boats to conduct the preliminary examination which he
demands.
Where there is a flare-up, a peaceful man goes out of his way to avoid
it: a hot-headed brawler, the chip on his shoulder, sticks his hands in his
pockets and shouts: "I have a right to go walking here; whoever opposes me
is my mortal enemy." That is Wilson's policy. And instead of at least shaking
his fist against the incendiary in present case (England) he threatens the fireman
(German}') who is trying to protect his own property and that of the brawler
himself !