A CONTROVERSY.
(From Our Own Correspondent in America.)
I.
Yesterday President Wilson addressed a monster gathering of business men at Ponkapog. He said that it was a cruel misconception to hold that Americans were without ideals. As a matter of fact they cherished their ideals far beyond any question of making money and would die rather than submit to acts which were an outrage on our common humanity. In declaring that there was such a thing as being too proud to fight he had, of course, meant that there was such a thing as being only too proud to fight for what was just and right. This was the American attitude, and he therefore advocated national preparedness which might possibly imply such an increase in America's naval and military forces as few people except himself had yet dreamt of. At this point the audience rose en masse and cheered for ten minutes. Nothing could show more clearly than this speech how intensely critical are the relations between America and Germany over the Lusitania case. There has been a wild panic on the New York Stock Exchange. A prominent banker has expressed the opinion that Count Bernstorff will receive his passports to-morrow
II.
Count Bernstorff has not called on Mr. Lansing to-day. This is considered a symptom of the utmost gravity, and the exchange value of the German mark has receded ten points.
III.
Count Bernstorff was closeted with Mr. Lansing for two hours this afternoon. Relations are evidently strained to a very dangerous point, and the worst is feared.
IV.
The situation has appreciably improved, and the controversy has been narrowed down to the use or omission of the word "illegality." The American Government insist that Germany should admit the illegality of the torpedoing of the Lusitania, but for this Germany is not yet prepared, though she is willing to make a formal expression of regret at the death of American citizens, whom, she is ready to declare, she did not intend to destroy. Colonel Roosevelt spoke last night at the dinner of the Associated Progressive Manufacturers. He said no touch of infancy or feebleness had been omitted by the present Administration in their conduct of negotiations with Germany. They had performed the miracle of causing every true American to blush for his country. When you met a rattlesnake you didn't waste time in arguing with it or flattering it. Your duty was to shoot it or knock it on the head, or, preferably, to employ both methods in order to rid the world of a danger. At this vigorous denunciation the whole audience rose and cheered for a quarter of an hour.