The Daily News. FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 1915. GERMANY AND AMERICA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 306, 4 June 1915, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 1915. GERMANY AND AMERICA.

Once more we are told that the situation over Germany's action in sinking tlie Lusitania is considered by the American press to lie grave. Germany's reply liad met with an all-round condemnation, and is regarded as increasing rather than decreasing tlm tension, one journal stating that unless Germany accepts the American demands nothing is left except to sever diplomatic relations. We have seen so much of American subservience that there is justification in regarding her view of the word "tension" as being something that can stretch to any extent without breaking. The German authorities must have had many laughs up their sleeves at America's theatrical bombast, and may we'd be excused for viewing the United States' Notes with sup.'ome contempt. Count Bernstorff, the Herman Ambassador at .Washington, ,s reported to have said to an interview -.y, in response to a question whether he it'id considered what the Americans would think of the Lusitania horror, "Let them think," and that exactly represents the oversaving attitude of Germany towards America. "Think!" said Count EernstcrfF, in the full knowledge that beiiMt'i the Stars and Stripes there were 3,700.00 Gennan and Austrian-born cit'zens, and that twelve months hence the who! a country will be in the midst of a Presidential campaign, "I care not wnat tiiey tlnnk; let them think." Could anything exhib't a greater contempt for American opinion? It is profitless to 11•>/.*.-J a gurss at what America will say now, but we may well feel assured that she will tale no action. America would not denounce the authors of the war, she does not propose to take her pUre ill the raiins of the avengers, and it. is mora than doubtful if she will show a tardy repentance by removing nli impediments in the way of the Allies' purchase u>d shipment of war munitijis. It is left to Mr. Roosevelt and a few rthtr eminent men to stand out in iioM relief as the exponents of the only self-respect-ing action that a nation couU'. take and face the world without a brand of cowardice. But tfiey have no status. Tlie tone of the Press is on the who'e satisfactory, but in America that does not count. Apparently nothing short of a revolution would force the President to uphold the nation's honor and possibly lose office. That is the choice, and the President seems to have cast the die in favor of dishonor and the retention of office. All the same, the day of reckoning will come.