The Dominion. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1915. "THE MAD DOG OP EUROPE"

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2380, 9 February 1915, Page 4

The Dominion. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1915. "THE MAD DOG OP EUROPE"

The general feeling in the United States seems to be that Germany's reckless threat to attack neutral commerce is a huge blunder. It has given rise to some very outspoken comments in American newspapers. The necessity of chaining up "this macl dog of Europe," to quote the forcible language, of the New York Herald, hasneen impressed upon the American people with renewed emphasis by Germany's latest exhibition of her contempt for the laws of war. The reply pi the United States Government will be awaited with much interest. There can be no doubt that the attitude of President Wilson in regard to certain aspects ot the war has been weak and disappointing. His halting and uncertain policy has been unworthy of a great nation, and a very large section of his own people feel that the prestige of the country has been diminished by his excessive anxiety to avoid saying or doing anything to give offence, to tho Kaiser. It is stated that "this latest specimen of German barbarity" seems likely to obliterate any favourable impression the German propaganda has hitherto _ made, and to' facilitate a satisfactory settlement of the diffi-, culties which have arisen over the inevitable interference with American trade caused by the exercise of the right of searcli by the British Navy. The change in public opinion appears to have interfered with the prospects of the Ship Purchase Bill, the provisions of which' are naturally viewed with disfavour by Britain and her Allies. The Bill is "hanging on a razor's edge," and, according to latest information, its support in the country is weakening. Not long ago it was announced that the President was determined to force the measure through Congress in spite of the protests of tho Allies, and notwithstanding the vigorous opposition it has aroused in the United States; but it was subsequently stated that the Government would not purchase interned German ships against tho wishes of other belligerents. A clear, definite understanding to this effect would, of course, go a long way to remove the objections to the Bill. Still, it is unfortunate that such a measure should have been brought forward at such a time. Its enactment might , give some satisfaction in Germany; But taken as a whole all the President's efforts to please—or rather to avoid displeasing—the Kaiser have proved quite futile. Finding that they cannot get straight-out sympathy or support from the United States, the Germans are beginning | to give Americans a taste of that unadulterated hate which has hitherto been mainly directed against Britain and all things British! A Cologne'newspaper recently declared that America's neutrality was merely a thin veil concealing eagerness to do England a good turn, and added the significant words: "If America respects only bruta force we must give free play to brute force." In the face of language of this sort it does not require any great stretch of the imagination to realise what the triumph of Germany in the present war would mean. In spite of . the non-committal attitude of their Government, signs are not wanting that the people of the United States—with the exception, of course, of the German-Americans —aro waking up to the fact that it may be to their advantage to help the Allies to "chain up this mad dog of Europe." It is true that the ruthless way in which tho Germans violated the neutrality of Belgium and wantonly devastated the country has not yet evoked a word of official protest from President Wilson; but there is a growing feeling of indignation among American citizens, who strongly sympathise with .Mr. Roosevelt's advocacy of a firmer and more dignified policy. An ' American, who is able to speak from personal knowledge gained by a visit to the devastated area in France and Belgium, recently expressed keen disappointment with his Government's inaction. "For the honour of our signature," he writes, "and in answer to the. call of the helpless behind the enemy's lines, is it not possible to insist that conventions and treaties to which we are a party shall be observed—or is there no blood in us." In considering the attitude of the United States, it must be borne in mind that a most elaborate and persistent German propaganda has been going on ever since the war began, and great efforts have been made to place Germany's action in the most favourable light. The British, on the other hand, have felt so confident of the justice of their cause, that they have not taken adequate steps to counteract the. insidious methods by which tho other side has sought to influence American public opinion. As a result, the Germans, have undoubtedly gained a certain amount of sympathy, which now seems likely to be lost again by the blundering of the Kaiser and his advisers. The American Government cannot be accused of adopting an interpretation of neutrality which would give Britain and her Allies any advantage over Germany; yet, as .Watson says in his poem "to America concerning England" : She shall yet live wi'thont thine aid, and thou Without the crown divine thou inight'sc have worn. These linos were quoted in a # striking Christmas message to America from Lord Fisher. The message is reported to have been sent in reply to a request from a leading news agency asking for an opinion as to what hope of good cheer the Christmas spirit could bring humanity at this epoch-making period. . Lord Fisher replied that the hope of good cheer "almost entirely depends upon a hundred million of Christian men and women in Ajmnnca realisms

what 'neutrality' means," The message is stated to have been welcomed by American well-wishers of Great Britain, not so mueft as an attempt to induce the United States to actually enter the fray on the side of the Allies as a warning to Americans, not to be misled by German misrepresentations. Since then events have happened which are throwing new light on Germany's conception of her responsibilities to neutrals. Having failed to gain her ends by cringing and flattering, she is now adopting the methods of the bully.