New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-19
The German Answer.

against certain implications Of the war zone
order is more conciliatory in form than IN sub
stance An effort is made 10 hedge on the original
threat to neutral nations that German submarine
commanders, not having the leisure to make
proper investigation in advance, might accident
ally" torpedo neutral merchantmen entering
British and Irish waters. More stress is laid now
ON the peril 70 neutral shipping Of the mine fields
which Germany intends 10 plant of British and
Irish ports.
The menace Of submarine attacks on neutral
vessels is CLOSED over in cautious diplomatic
phYases But Germsny's purpose to intimidste
neutrals and 70 extort aid from them in carrying
out a naval policy which she hes not the means
70 carry out unsided can be read as clearly as
ever between the lines of the German reply.
The whole German argument is simply an APP
peal 10 neutral nations 10 help her 10 overcome
the military disadvantage under which she labors
from the inability of her fleets to keep the sea.
II she had the naval resources to carry through
the ambitious programme of starving out Great
Britain which her Admiralty has announced she
would not bother to complain Of the failure of
neutral commerce 10 maintain its rights on the
high seas.
The fact that supplies, including munitions Of
war, do not move freely into Germany and do
move freely into the countries with which she is
at war creatss no moral or legal obligation on
the part Of neutrsls % redress that balance.
We are willing TO sell 10 Germany anything which
we sell TO the Allies. II cannot affect our rights
and interests that Germany is unable 70 secure
the delivery Of eontrabsnd destined TO her ports
because she has lost control Of the sea.
Germany should not plead the 'baby act" be-
cause her navy cannot compete with that Of Great
Britain. She has right TO try to hold up con-
trsband carried in neutral ships, and all that
the neutral nations ask is that she shall do it
according to the rules of international law. If
she searches neutral ships, seizes the contraband
and sends vessels and cargo to her prize courts
neutrals will not complain. But they cannot be
expected 70 tighten her task for her by sccommo-
datingly keeping out Of the merely constructive
war zone" which che has created and surrender
ing the right TO enter unblockaded British and
Irish ports
II 10 merely throwing herself on the charity Of
neutrals for Germany TO suggest that warshps be
furnished 20 convoy neutral merchantmen.
warship is not permitted to give safe conduct to
a ship carrying contraband. And It Is up to the
German navy to interrupt the passage Of contra
band from a neutral country to the ports Of any
of Germanys enemies By furnishing convoy the
United States would not only expose American
warships TO destruction by mines, but would also
discriminate against American contraband
riers, which have perfect right to enter British
waters on tho same terms as non-contraband
carriers.
Moreover, the fact that the British are making
it very difficult for German submarines to hold
up and search merchantmen in British waters
does not In any way diminish neutral rights. If
submarines cannot do the work Of destroyers and
cruisers, that is not the neutral shippers fault
Because Germany is weak at sea we are not re-
auired 10 grant her a waiver on the observance
of the ordinary rules of international law or to
allow her TO substitute lynch law Of her own
creation for the international code. The conduct
of Great Britain may or may not justify German
reprisals against British shipping. II cannot
justify Germany in any irregular or high-handed
treatment Of neutral ships.
The German reply as a whole therefore leaves
the situation about as it was. It's awkward ap-
peals TO foreign sympathy will move no neutral
10 surrender privileges now enjoyed under inter-
national law Nor will Germany's suggestion that
the United States will fulfil high duty TO hu-
mainly by compelling a complete acceptance by
all belligerents Of the Declaration of London find
= ,ar,, k.a~&r, acho hare
THE German government could not too highly
appreciate such service rendered in the interests
Of humane methods of warfare, and would gladly
draw conclusions from the new situation" says
the German note. II some neutral nation will
accomplish something of vast military advantage
10 Germany the latter will acknowledge the ser
vice by agreeing TO humaner methods OF war
all around Coming from the power which raw
aged helpless and neutral Belgium, destroyed Lou
vain, turned its guns on the Rheims Cathedral
and has killed women, children and male non
csqnbstsnts in aimless cruiser and airship at
tacSus on English coast towns this proposal has u
touch of sordid and savage irony. What attention
can civilized opinion be expected TO pay to plea
thst nsutrsls shall try 10 humsnze the practice Of
wsrfsrp which comes from a belligersnt with
1919 iu unclsau hands~-,fYom q &c srnment