Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-07-19
The Attack on the Orduna

IT HAT q German submarine, without warn
i ing of any kind, has attacked and at
tempted to destroy British passenger ship
carrying American citizens returning to their
own country. enormously increases the gravity
Of the controversy between Germany and the
United States. This attack which parallels
in all save success that which sank the Lusi-
tania and caused the death of over 1000
noncombatants. makes peaceful solution OF
the existing difficulty much more difficult.
In a sense, the attempt to torpedo the
Orduna was worse than its predecessor-cer-
tainly, it is affected by few none of the
special circumstances that Germany alleged
in excuse of her earlier atrocity. The Lust
tania, according to the German notes, was
carrying allied reservists and munitions Of
war to England. while the Orduna was on her
way to this country and carried no contra
band OF any description.
These circumstances. however, are i'm
portant only to the German viewpoint; they
do not control or affect the attitude Of this
government, which has contended from the
first that a belligerent merchantmen is not
subject to destruction. without notice and op-
portunity given passengers and crew to make
their escape. Germany has been warned that
if through neglect Of these elementary prin-
ciples Of humanity and international law
American lives are sacrificed she will be held
Ito a strict accountability"
For month she has been following in her
submarine warfare the rules Of war observed
by civilization. Although American lives
were taken in the prosecution Of this war
fare. there has been no protest from this gov
eminent Instead, there has been general
recognition of the propriety of the German
course and general satisfaction that she had
abandoned the mercless error OF her earlier
ways.
The satisfaction thus felt and expressed
now appears to have been somewhat prema-
fttro n,,l, Nv, 1,
and second Of time by which the torpedo
missed the Orduna was war between this
country and Germany avoided-for had the
torpedo found It's mark and American lives
been sacrificed to this exhibition of
frightfulness, not all the diplomats in reation
could have stayed the storm.
SO long as Germany claims the right to
abolish internal ional law and murder Ameri-
can citizens whenever she considers it neces-
sary or eXpedient, there can be no compost
tion OF existing differences. Whenever the
right so claimed is exercised, the severance of
peaceful relations will follow.
Just why the United States cannot afford to
abandon or limit neutral rights on the high
seas is shown by the case of William O.
Thompson, Of Chicago, counsel TO the Federal
Commission on Industrial Relations who went
abroad last March on official business and
returned as passenger on the Orduna To
Mr. thompson none of the criticisms that
have been leveed at other America travellers
possibly can be applied His trip was in the
line of duty-he crossed the ocean through no
curiosity and in wanton defiance OF dan
ger but because it was his duty so to do
He is entitled to receive from the country
that sent him on this mission the assurance
of protection in the exercise of his lawful
rights. He is entitled to act as international
law says he may act, in the certainty that his
government will protect or avenge him
President Wilson and Secretary Lansing
Will take up to-day the composition of the
note that is 10 be sent to Germany We be-
licve we express the country's view when we
say that note should be brief, clear and 10
the point