The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1915-02-25

which this entails, 50 50 10 -.
bellIxerent action in as large az
"a, Would It be contrary to M
@,rrselonai law for the 6rasN
oevsrnment to offer reward
~. merchant vessels for sne SIM
In1 Of an enemy submarineF
THIS would not be a violation on eno
e.. r,,Is ~ the Declaration OF Paris
,.,n,ch abolished privateering. since tne
nnrmose Of the reward would be the
destruction OF the enemys war -snps
a IA not merchantmen. 1t would, now
ever he contrary to internationai ~ "
Co. belltgerent merchant vesset 70
transform itself at will into q snip VI
,va- Tbe situation Is somewhat com
narab,a 10 that OF civilians in occupieu
tarritorv who must not violate the laws
~ war nv concealing and making use
~ arms whenever they see good OPP
nortun,tv 10 cast aside their non-con-
blatant character. :.
n Is a perfectly legitimate ect OF
war for a German submarine 10 SIM
British warships, and any attempt ol
british merchant vessel to take part
In hostilities would. Of course, supJec'
her to the liabilities which attach 70 a
shin OF war. That she had on poaru
neutral passenger could mol proeeo'
her and her own government Wouso DC
responsible to the neutrals TOT any
loss of life which might result iroii
such an unjusttfied attempt Of YES
sci to take part in belligerent opera
tions while she stiil claimed TO De y
merchantmen. II a German submarine
should disregard the requirement OF
visit and examination OF the snip
papers and torpedo merchant vessels
without warning, these vessels Nigh
find Il necessary In self-defense to. at
tempt to ram or sink the German SUD
marine. Amy reward that the govern
memt might offer as an encouragement
to such action might then be defend
ed on the ground Of reprisai.
fD Has the United states the
nloht 10 protest against the des-
tructIon by torpedoes or mines OF
5Altish merchantmen In the war
rome without previous visit and
search7
Aside from any question Of the righ
to protest against Gemany's actio
ON the ground Of humanity and as
violation off recognized rules of inter
national law, this government woui
have an undombted right to protes
against such action as violation 9
, the rights of American citizens. Eve
" Germany should control the appiica
tion of her action SO as not to endange
I neutral merchantmen, the destructio
, OF British vessels might cause the los
, of American lives. Neutrals have
right to take passage ON belligerer
I vessels. II the latter should be des
troyed, 1t is incumbent upon the bell
} gerent who sinks an enemy vessel
/ provide for the safety OF all the pass
engers and crew. II Germany shout
) urge that the United States did nj
r previously protest against Great Brit
aims Interference with neutral right
the answer would be that the previor
violation OF our rights was not &
fragrant. In any event, the presente
tion of a protest Is always within tn
discretion Of the government The fas
that II has not done so In any particr
lar instance can never be considers
as a waving of its right to protei
later against that or any other actiol
Nevertheless, In the spirit OF neutralit
the government win always attempt
avoid any undue discrimination.
(s) Are there any IInnIts TO the
= action which q heIIloenent may take
by way OF rcprisai against his
advhrsary7
When one belligerent has violated.
recognized rule OF international la
theme are many instances in which 4
other belligerent has had recourse
{ a similar violation by way of repriss
The legitimacy of this action has be,
often questioned. 1t Is one OF the mo
difficult points of international la
= There Is, however, no doubt that in
. case may benigerents make reprfsa
an excuse for violating the rights
neutral nations During the wars
the French Revolution this country su
fered greatly from reprisals at Il
expense of neutrals which resul
ed from the British Orders
Council and the Napoleonic DEGREES
that of Berlin and that Of Milan. The
Is no reason why, under the guise
s reprisals. we should permit a slmil
: disregard of our rights at the prese
n time. Then we made futile protel
h Now we ane IN a better position
Y secure respect for our rights.--Outloc