New York Times Current History: The European War, Vol. 8, Pt. 2, No. 1, July 1918Various
History
New York Times Current History: The European War, Vol. 8, Pt. 2, No. 1, July 1918
Various
World War, 1914-1918
Frederick the Great, with cynical frankness, once said: "If there
is anything to be gained by it, we will be honest. If deception
is necessary, let us be cheats." That is in brief the immoral
principle which has controlled the foreign relations of Prussia
for over 150 years.
It is a fact not generally known that within six weeks after the
Imperial Government had, in the case of the Sussex, given to
this Government its solemn promise that it would cease ruthless
slaughter on the high seas, Count Bernstorff, appreciating the
worthlessness of the promise, asked the Berlin Foreign Office to
advise him in ample time before the campaign of submarine murder
was renewed, in order that he might notify the German merchant
ships in American ports to destroy their machinery because he
anticipated that the renewal of that method of warfare would in
all probability bring the United States into the war.
How well the Ambassador knew the character of his Government, and
how perfectly frank he was! He asked for the information without
apology or indirection. The very bluntness of his message shows
that he was sure that his superiors would not take offense at the
assumption that their word was valueless and had only been given
to gain time, and that, when an increase of Germany's submarine
fleet warranted, the promise would be broken without hesitation
or compunction. What a commentary on Bernstorff's estimate of the
sense of honor and good faith of his own Government!
We must go on with the war. There is no other way. This task must
not be left half done. We must not transmit to posterity a legacy
of blood and misery. We may in this great conflict go down into
the Valley of Shadows, because our foe is powerful and inured to
war. We must be prepared to meet disappointment and temporary
reverse, but we must, with American spirit, rise above them; with
courageous hearts we must go forward until this war is won.
Premier Lloyd George Lauds Americans
David Lloyd George, the British Premier, speaking at the Printers'
Pension Fund dinner in London, June 7, 1918, paid this tribute to the
American soldiers in France:
I have only just returned from France, and met a French statesman
who had been at the front shortly after a battle in which the
Americans took part. He was full of admiration not merely of their
superb valor but of the trained skill with which they attacked and
defeated the foe.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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