PresipENtT Wr.son can be depended upon to care- 
fully weight the problem that is before him and present 
firmly and fairly the view of the American people. It is 
evident, however, that Germany has not been as prompt 
and as conciliatory as this government might wish and 
expect. Berlin has taken all the time that could possibly 
be taken to answer our demands. The notes already re- 
ceived are evasions of the issue at stake, but they are, 
never-the-less, not as ‘insulting’ as some papers have en- 
ceavored to prove. Berlin is playing a hard game and 
her diplomatic methods are not exactly like those of 
America nor are her ways of thinking American. The 
replies have been characteristically German. Beneath the 
evasions it is apparent that Germany’s attitude is con- 
cilatory despite the unsatisfactoriness of the contents of 
the notes. Germany is not endeavoring to “pick” a quar- 
rel. The Imperial Government has failed to acknowledge 
the crime of the sinking of the Lusitania, has refused to 
see that America expects and must have a just and honor- 
able adjustment of the submarine problem. The issue at 
stake is the rights of neutrals upon the sea. Germany 
feels that oppression of England’s supremacy upon the 
seas, and objects to it and the submarine warfare is the 
answer. America is making a demand for certain rights 
upon the high sea. Germany will defeat her own ends if 
she denies the rights of the high sea that America de rands. 
Whatever difficulties America may have with the Allies 
the issue with Germany must be settled on its own merits. 
If Germany fails to recognize the rights of neutrals and 
lo make a stand with America for the freedom of the sea 
it would appear that Germany would be making a serious 
nustake. What Germany objects to in England she ought 
to be quick to concede to America. The American people 
think that the passengers upon the Lusitania took great 
risks in going to sea in war time in an English vessel. In 
fact public opinion is intense on that point. The place 
for Americans is in America or if they needs must travel 
they should take such precautions as they can by sailing 
under the Stars and Stripes, but what ever the American 
people think about the risks taken by the Lusitania vic- 
tims America .is firm in her assertion of neutral rights 
and those rights Germany has violated. The German 
note intimates that it was not expected that the Lusitania 
would sink after the first torpedo was sent. It is assert- 
ed that it was thought that the Lusitania would stay 
afloat long enough to permit the crew and passengers to 
Hisemparle ie ever that may have been Germany could 
have settled this whole problem by such a statement and 
then in a few words agree to meet the necessary obliga- 
tions of the blunder. The German note turns at the criti- 
cal point and the issue is befogged and the saving words 
unwritten. However, uns: itisfactory as the note may ap- 
pear, it is not as unsatisfactory as could easily be con- 
ceived. Facts count. There have been no more Lusi- 
tania disasters and that speaks volumes. The note has 
not met our expectations, but the warfare that America 
chjected to has ceased. Another Lusitania incident would 
undoubtly make a crisis. President Wilson is a keen 
thinker, a carefully writer atid a man of peace. He can 
be depended upon to.comé to reasonable conclusions. He 
will be able to do it much more easily now that Bryan 
does not hamper him in his work. 
WHILE IN THE LecisLATuRE, Mr. MacDonald, now 
Mayor of Beverly, paved the way for a new bridge 
between Beverly, and Salem. Yesterday the Essex 
County commissioners subniitted plans for rebuilding 1t. 
The new plans provide for filling in under the present 
bridge, providing for a channel and draw: This will 
tiake it possible to provide a tide gate that will keep the 
vater at a level high enough to prevent the nuisance now 
complained of on the Dany ers and North Rivers. It will 
be a pleasant conicidence for the Mayor of Beverly to 
approve the measure as Mayor that he supported as a 
member of the Legislature. The new bridge ought to be 
built, provided the expense is properly apportioned in 
such a way as to provide against too heavy a burden upon 
any one year or administration. 
IN pRovipiNG for the organization of a Board of 
civilian inventors to meet the new conditions of warfare 
as shown abroad, Secretary Daniels of the Navy Depart- 
ment has made a signal advance in his work. Thomas 
A. Edison has responded to his call for service with 
patriotic enthusiasm. America is fortunate to have such 
a genius to call to service. There is no reason why 
advances cannot be made in preventive inventions that will 
overcome the terrible destructive agencies this war has 
developed. America wants peace. Mr, Edison will be 
able to associate with the leading minds of the States and 
tinder the direction of the master mind much good ought 
to come forth 
A Norra Suore Pastor’s answer to the question, 
“Ought America to be prepared?” was Yes, shod with 
the preparations of the Gospel of !Peace.” The old wor!d 
was prepared for war and found it. Nations, like indi- 
viduals, find what they are looking for. There is no evil 
in preparedness for war if the spirit of the nation be 
“shod with the preparations of the Gospel of Peace.” 
Tue Norru Spore has its interests in the relief work 
of the war with the organized efforts for the French work 
on Mondays and Thursdays and the Red Cross endeavors 
on Tuesdays and Fridays. These are noble enterprises 
and the loyal workers are reaping rich rewards in their 
philanthropic enterprises. 
Tne JitNeys are making serious inroads upon the 
earnings of the street railroads and one Massachusetts 
street railroad company has retaliated in denying the 
privileges of its park to jitney passengers. 
WHEN THE WAR ENDS, will the tide of immigration 
turn from America to the old world or from the old world 
to America? Who can foresee at this time? 
THE HALF HAS Not yet been told. While news of 
the war filters in, the press in America does not begin to 
know what is going on across the seas. 
