The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1915-06-16

DeIOTe CHlS Val DSSdIl lidI NSliiAlioy
would march through Belgium in
case of wal with France. Why Ger
many had constructed straegic rail-
ways right up to Bclgium's frontier!
What other object could she have had
in doing this? He further goes on
to state thc.t the British Government
had long since taken action accord
ingly. "Not only were the English
fleets disposed and stationed accord
ing to plans agreed upon in persu-
ance of the secret pledge made by Sir
Edward Gray and Premier Asquith
to France, but the English govern
ment had a private understanding
with Belgium so that Great Britain
and France could meet the. German
attack in Belgium when the wal
came.
This coroborates a statement which
I saw some time ago, made by the
Germa government respecting this
secret understanding between Eng
land and Belgium in Ease of war be-
tween France and Germany. AS
Mr.. Shaw states that when the Ger
mans captured Brussels they discov-
cred documents recording the fact
that the English government had
fixed things up with Belgium so that
Great Britain and France could meet
the German attack in Belgium.
On being asked by Senator Bever-
idge why this combination against
Germany, Mr.. Shaw replied, "the
balance of power and command
of the sea, you know that we re-
gard the sea as our private property"
Now remember this is the statement
of a loyal subject of Great Britain.
AS I have before stated, I don't
believe President Wilson's protest
will be recognized by the Germans,
without additional modification, as
it would give England too great an
advantage. Why if a submarine were
required to go through all the re-
quirements of hauling a merchant
vessel sailing under a neutral flag
had to send a number of the crew
aboard to see whether she had any
contraband aboard, and then if such
contraband should be found, give
sufficient time for the crew and any
passengers who might be aboard to
get off, they had just as well dis
pense with their submarines, as
there would be precious few ships
destroyed, for if the submarine it.
self were not blown up by the guns
mounted on the merchant ship, as is
undoubtedly the case in many in
stances, the ship, while the search
was being made, having much great
e. speed than the submarine, could
put on steam, hoist her sails and
proceed or her way with impunity.
The English could grant free
transportation to American citizens
on their ammunition ships for the
sole purpose Of projecting the cargo
from submarine attacks, if our gov
ernments note should be accepted
by the Germans, without additional
modification.
The submarine is a new instru-
ment of warfare just as are the
dirigible and aeroplane, and there
fore, cannot be governed by anti
quated international law. If that
were>not true then no new invention
of a weapon of warfare could be
made use of, especially if the same
should be of an ezra destructive
character, until there be an interna-
tional law adopted respecting it's use.
Why should there be a difference
made in the use of the submarine and
that of the gas bombs which is a
weapon of a newer type? The man.
ner in which humanity looks upon
the use of such Weapons upon an
enemy depends entirely upon the
Standpoint from which it is viewed.
The Germans no doubt believe they
are justified in using any instrument
of destruction against the English in
view of the latters inhuman treat
ment in the effort to starve to death
the German women snd children and