Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-05-13

The discussion following the sinking of the Lustania
by German submarines and the loss of many American lives
including not a few and children involves many
farreachng considerations difficult say which should
come first The first thought succeeding the feeling of hor
universally aroused is that the Germans should be forced
in some way to make amends for this outrage Whether
regard this destruction of lives of neutral nations
violation of the usages of civilized warfare assault
humanity at large it is human to out for reparaon
War account of this outrage would mean our will
ngnes to sacrifice thousands of other American lives to
wipe out the stain national honor and dignity involved
in this wanton sacrifice and infringement rights of
life and property by warning power Assuming that the
worst that be said of Gemanys attitude true do the
dictates of Christian civilization warrant such extreme
action?
If Germany trying to force the United States into the
war to her face or to cut off supplies from this
country for the allies would not be promoting Germanys
ends by declaration of account of the Lustana
outrage? Are there not in which far more
without at the time sacrificing thousands of lives for
every American who went down with the Lusitania?
When the Mexicans became horde of fighting animals
instead of lawabidng people, ceased to treat them as
nation of civilized and The President of the
of lawlessness and terror to remain at their risk
Among civilized governments to-day Mexico is an outcast
and of people and other nations hold that the Lus
tania and other ourages have put the German mtasts
wholly outside the pale of Christian civizatio
There various other points Of view however When
state of exists the relations of the of the whole
world outside and the belgerents undergo complete trans
warfare have the right to search and the sink
ing of neutral vessels which resist search well
petraed in time of peace We Americans have availed
ourselves of these rights and must expect beg
erents now to exercise similar rights.
One of the rules of civilized warfare long established is
that stronghold must not be bombarded until sufficient
warning has been given to allow neutras escape If
trails persist in remaining after the expiration of the period
set before the bombarment begins they remain at their
risk and the besiegng party not held amenabe to the
laws of war or of civilization.
Nobody in his would think of travelling through
war zone on land. Why on water?
The Germans not only warning Of their submarine
blockade of the British Isle months urging neutras to
tana they also special warning through the German
ambassador in cards in American that the Lusi
ana was to be sunk and many individual Americans re-
ceived personal warnings in the shape of kilograms The
question is whether under the technical meaning of the term
warning and the rules of warfare the of the city bonn
bared and the Lstania bombrded would not be closely
parallel
ing that the Lsitania carried not only food but also large
shipments of and munitions of which
the safe of these supplies for the British
by taking American the boat The Ger
responsible for the loss of American lives because they
sued there danger despite the German
ambassadors published warnings.
control and distribution of all food supplies;
that this meant the taking of all supplies shipped to Ger
many for the Of it's armed forces which warranted Brit
sh efforts to oodstufs from going to the German
Of it's trips New to save from Ger
attack, leading to protest by government Fol
lowing the action of the British in OBTAINING
the Wihemna loaded with food supplies from America for
the German civilian population the German government is
isles.
The German order caused the British
ment to realate with order in council stopping all
plies to Germany carried in neutral bottoms and in
tended for civilians Following this order the British pas
ship Falaba bound for Africa opedoed by Ger
man submarine and Thrasher, American, lost his life
and little later the American ship Gulfgh sunk off
the Scy isles supposedly by German submarine and two
members of the drowned
The sinking of American ship with consequent loss
of life really greater provocaton of than the sink
ing Of the British ship Lusitana, also with loss of American
life We moved the by the latter, however,
count of the greater loss of life the Lustana and the
prominence of the people involved In the sight of nations
cOuntrys flag is guaranty of protection. Technically,
if to make Germany, should have made
the sinking of the American Gught the occasion thereof
but that craft laden with contra1and of
Moreover, President Wilson's warning to Germany that
/he would be held accountable embraced Americans bel
Ggerent vessels well American craft 1t is argued
however, that this does not necessarily that would
be the of holding accountabe that other of
accountability may be used.
1t is intmated that extra session of the Sixty
Fourth Congress be called the situation shown to
be serious enough to warrant threat of We hope
however, the light of the part played by Congress
with England, Mexico and SPAIN that the President
will leave Congress at home. We in shape to carry
war to Germany even if we would.