The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-09
THE NEW WAR ZONE.
A Kind Of Piracy as IN which Con-
gress Should Speak Its Mind.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-SH:
The German Government declares the
neutral waters around Great Britain
and ireland to be war zone" and
1t notifies the merchant ships OF neu-
trails that within such waters they
are in danger OF being sunk by Ger
man submarines without examination,
through being mistaken for merchant
ships of the enemy.
Belligerents have from time to time
been known to trespass on the self
evident and admitted rights OF neu-
trails by an Ill considered edict. In
such case the better opinion seems to
be that the attention of the offending
Government should be drawn to the
matter in a friendly manner, and
every opportunity be given to enable
II to save its face. But this step
should be taken at once always, lest
silence be construed, perhaps by both
belligerents, as assent.
Neutral Governments have no right
to demand that a belligerent observe
the laws of war as toward non
Blatant nationals OF the other belllg-
erent. Their respective peoples, how
ever, II free, will bind them TO see TO
II that neither belligerent commits an
outrage upon any nationals in neu-
trail waters. II is more prudent for
all neutrals to stand as one In pre-
venting lawless conduct. Timely
united action in requiring a rescind-
ing Of any unlawful edict injurious
TO all neutrals may even be a benefit
to the offending Power. Under the
pressure of extreme need any Power
is exposed to the temptation of disre-
gardinR the rights OF neutrals. A
sense OF the general weakness OF hui
manity should impel neutral states
men to warn in a friendly manner,
but instantly. lest like "A clap OF thun-
der a war outburst follow a thought
less act committed by a belligerent
otherwise deemed friendly.
Germany seeks to disarm resent
ment by declaring that lin view of
the hazards OF naval warfare It can
not always be avoided that attacks
meant for the enemy ships endanger
neutral ships These words are far
from meaning that a torpedo directed
upon one vessel intended to be sunk
may go amss and strike some friendly
vessel in the neighborhood In that
I
erent to refrain from operating until
the friendly vessel is out OF danger
What Germany means to say is that
IL a vessel is seen which looks like
a merchant ship OF the enemy, she
is at liberty to sink her without first
boarding and ascertainlng, and that
the murdered neutral non-comba tants
have themselves to blame for being
in neutral waters and in relying upon
their friendly flag. Germany means
that TO neutral nations she owes no
duty OF previous examination. She
means that because the merchant
ships of an enemy have been known
at times to hoist neutral flag the
neutral flag shall not protect longer
a neutral ship. She is pleased to call
these contingencies hazards OF naval
warfare as II attacks upon the lives
OF non com batants whether of neutral
or belligerent nationality were war
fare.
With the moral quality of acts in
tended for moral effect" II they are
committed in enemy's territory, no
neutral is concerned. In neutral
waters, on the contrary. neutrals
must permit no lawless act toward
neutrais, however moral il night DE
either In intent or in point of fact.
The notice declares itself operative
on February is. II would seem that
after previous understanding, II
possible, with the other neutral ma
tions, but in no case with delay Con-
gress should pass a joint resolution
setting forth that the sinking of a
merchant ship which in fact Is Ameri-
can but was thought by the bellIg-
erent to belong TO the enemy will be
treated either as an act of war or as
d one Of piracy. according as the cir
cumstances may require. CopEx.
. TOPsHANi, Ne. February s.