The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-09-18
GERMANY'S CASE.
"W. J. b." who Is Not Mr.. Bryan,
Reviews the Controversy.

dents AFFORDED the tingoes occasion Tor
new o%utbursts n since 1t In evident
that as long as the wal lasts we are in
danger OF being drawn into the vortex
II might be well 10 review the history
OF the dispute which has led up TO the
present delicate situation to be sure we
are right before we go ahead.
If we should enter the war the senti-
ment my country. right or wrong" will.
l feel sure, correctly express the feelings
n actions of all OF us, but we YOU
rather be right than wrong. i should
like to advance reasons for believir 2
that we have no Just cause for breaking
of diplomatic relations with Germany
or going to war because OF the sub
marine dispute.
At the beginning of the war Germany
declared her willingness to be bound by
the Declaration II London. England re-
fused to be so bound. but claimed that
owing to her preponderant naval strength
she had the right to lay dow new rules
and regulations as she saw At.
II would take too long TO enumerate
the English violations of our rights and
deliberate insults to our flag during the
early stages OF tho war, and besides they
are known to all open minded men. So
let IL suffice to say that they were such
as would not be calmly endured by a
proud nation Jealous of Its honor.
our Government made polite protests,
NOT with the hope and object of forcing
England to obey International laws but
In order to be In a position after the
close OF the war TO request a pecuniary
salve for our dlshonor.
We took no steps TO hold England 20
a strict accountability for her high
handed conduct, partly because we were
glad to see supplies cut OF from the
Germans and thus to aid in accomplish
ing their downfall, but chiefly owing to
the fact that on viewing the great naval
strength OF the Allies It seemed highly
expedient 10 swallow our pride.
Now Germany waited patiently for
six months to see II neutral nations were
willing or able to protect their plain
rights or to see fair play. but when her
hops proved vain she declared her
submarine blockade as a last %sourc
And as it Ia 20 often claimed that Ger
many has no cause for complaint since
the English attempt to starve the Ger
man people is apparently unsuccessful,
let me point out that attempted murder
and starvation are punishable crimes.
II has been repeatedly stated that the
German and British violations OF inter-
national laws are fundamentally differ
ent since the German offences involve
a loss OF life, while In our dispute with
England only commercial questions are
at stake. II is obvious, however, that
no American is In danger from German
submarines II he remains at home or
travels on American ships and the
purely commercial nature OF our quarrel
with Germany j. shown from the fact
that our State Department issues pass
ports only 20 those Americans who ave
actual business in Europe.
Because the United States through i;s
acqulescence Ia the Illegal long range
English blockade OF Germany has tac-
lily admitted the Justice OF the English
contention that the submarine has mad
former methods OF blockade and search
iinpracticable. and as We have taken no
steps 10 enforce the plain right Of Amer
lean ships and passengers to travel UNI
harmed through the English mine fields
and war zone around Germany and neu-
trail countries, IL is incumbent upon US
as neutrals 20 admit that the subma-
rine has made the previously existing
laws governing the capture and destruc-
ton Of merchant ships obsolete, ard we
are not in a position 20 demand that
American ships and subjects zoe allowed
10 sail 10 England uumolested
Blu, chagrined OF finding that the Ger
mans were unwilling 20 surrender their
rights without struggle. failing TO see
that England was receiving her just de-
serts and that the Germans were In
reality fighting 10 break the shackles
that have bound the world FOR more
than a century fearing that IN. subma-
rine warfare II successful would result
In cutting Of our growing trade with
the Allies, through which We had hoped
10 reimburse ourselves Tor our loss Of
rad with the Germans egged OF b.
taunts of cowardiCe from the Allies and
from jlngoss In our own country seeing
the German "A V TO be inuocuous and
her army surrounded by a steel ring OF
enemies. our Government suddenly
evinced a desire TO uphold our honor.
10 enforce international law and TO
champion the cause OF humanity. sc.
Now when a nation constitutes Itself a
court OF Justice for the purpose Of en-
forcing international law in order TO he
impartial II must use its police powers
10 bring all Culprits to the bar, and as
England was the earliest offender. and
her offences were such as To justify
reprisals on the part OF Germany. one
would naturally suppose that England
would be the frst to feel the weight OF
our d'splcasure. especially when one
considers that Germany has offered 10
give up her submarine warfare and 20
obey all maritime laws. while England
has firmly refused to rect.fy any OF her
Illegal practices.
The procedure OF our President was
otherwise, and after tho despatch OF
each pedagogical note to Germany We
were assured by our authorities that a
Arm" note to England was now being
prepared but II his long overdue mes
sage is finally issued We shall see what
we shall see.
But since we have taken no effective
steps to force England TO remove the
causes which have resulted IN the Ger
man submarine warfare We are not in a
position to demand Justly that Germany
obey all formerly existing laws OF the
sea and by our Strenuous endeavors 10
force the Germans to do so we have, In
fact, adopted an unneutrpl policy.
The threat OF our President to view
the destruction OF British ammunition
ships and the accidental loss OF Ameri-
can lives as deliberately unfriendly''
was under the circumstances itself an
unfriendly act And though Tho Germans
would he justified In accepting his
challenge, thanks 10 the calmncss and
good sense OF the much moderated Ger
man diplomacy we have not as yet been
dra wn into the war,
England attempts to Justify her con
duct by pointing to our practice dur
ing the civil war, but there IL no SINH
larity between the two cases as our
war was purely a domestic quarrel, and
being a sovereign we were at liberty TO
cut of all trade with the portion OF our
own country IN revolt. An analogous
case would be seen II Ireland should
take up arms against England. In the
same way ~belligerent nations prohibit