South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-02-18
BRITAIN "SITTING
TIGHT" WAITING
GERMAN ATTACK
Absence of Reply to KaiSer'S
Proclamation of War Zone
Gives Rise to Theory That
Piracy viii Be Charged.

LONDON. Feb. 1S.-England Is
sitting tight" today awaiting the first
blow OF the German submarine fleet.
Though the German proclamation
making England and French Waters a
war zone went into effect at midnight
II was officially announced here this
morning that regular traffic between
Folkestone, Calais, southampton. and
laNre was being maintained despite
the German threat to mine all har-
bOrs.
\ meeting of the cabinet was held
at the home of Premier Asquith early
IN the day but up to noon no formal
proclamation in answer to that of
Germany has been issued This led
10 reports that no such proclamation
would be issued but that the British
government classifying the German
as piracy, would not recognize Ger
many's attack as conducted under the
rules Of civilized warfare.
BY adopting this attitude and hold
ing the crews Of German submarines
10 be pirates il would be possible to
hang them for murder If any are cap
tured. An influential part Of the pub
lie. led by Sir Charles Beresford. is
in favor OF this method of procedure.
Penalty May be Death.
The rules of international law pro-
vide that the penalty for piracy upon
conviction may be death. The first
requirement TO constitute an act OF
piracy Jure gentium is that il must be
an act OF adequate violence. 1t need
not necessarily be an act Of depreda-
ton. The second requirement is that
She piratical act must be committed
outside the territorial Jurisdiction of
any state.
The third requirements might be
overcome by England's refusal to
recognize Germany further as en-
titled to consideration as a civilized
nation.
The Westminster Gazette. which
speaks for the govern ~uent today pre-
diets a period Of great naval activity
IN the bread war as the new conflict
between England and Germany is now
termed
For the next few wekes," it SAYS
we must expect a period of excep-
tional violence by land and sea- we
shall sit through this without allow
ing ourselves to be scared or clustered.
What is new in the Berlin decree
is aimed at neutrals rat her than bel
hgerents. We are familiar with Ger
man mines and submarines: we arc
not inexperienced or unprepared TO do
our beg
Take New Offensive.
Both the allied governments will
take new offensive on land with
equal frmness. and equanimity The
Russians viii be helped by the vigor-
Gus movement now reported from the
vest
The Evening Standard ieers at Ger
many for its warning to the United
states, saying.
The amusing part of Germany's
sermon TO America is that while she
magnanimOusly offers TO assist Amer
lean ships with nOn-contraband aboard
across the mine area, she has to con-
ieSs that all such offers are rendered
nugatOr5r by the existence of mines.
In other words, all ordinary laws
of blockade are violated. American
merchantmen, even if carrying para
soils may be blown up with all their
crews.
In the meantime. our own merch-
ant navy remains unappalled by the
German preparation business as
usual. Is the order of the day."
The Pail Mall Gazette harps upon
the piracy issue saying in part.
The treat of a submarine war has
prov ed as important to scare our trade
from the sea as the threat of pri-
Ntteers. The red ensign waves in de-
hance OF the jolly roger There can
be but one issue I'm this pirate war.