The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-07-16

to what limitations there are to the
doctrine which Is known as military
necessity as to all these matters the
viewpoints of the two countries are
wholly different.
Leaving cut of consideration the
German-American and all other ny
phenated Americans, and coming
down to the native born. does any one
doubt that an overwhelming majority
Of the people of this country consider
the invasion of Belgium n gross and
brutal outrage? 1t is not so consid-
cred In Germany.
AS to official action in that country
after the army entered II. our views
and the Germans views are irreCon-
cilable. Let us leave out concrete
cases. where there may be dispute as
to the facts. n AXE "A supposititious
case. Surely this country would un-
der no circumstances tolerate the
massacre of prisoners In cox blood.
a different thing from an actual as
sault where mo quarter" is given. II
Is an indelible blot on the record of
General Bonaparte in Egypt that he
slaughtered 1000 Turks and Alba
mans, who had been constituted pris-
oners of war at the capture of Jafa
two days before, although his situa-
ton was n very desperate one. This
act has been universally condemned
by historical writer's OF every nation.
cf Germany as well as all the rest. but
hat was old Germany, the Germany
we knew in the past and supposed ex-
listed to-day.
| But there Is n new Germany. and
in its Army Regulations. or a kindred
publication tthe book is not at hand,
80 | cannot give the official title) the
massacre of Jana is used az an Illus
tration to show that when military
necessity" is stringent an exception
may be made co the laws of war. If
a German commander, circumstanced
as Bonaparte was. should do as he
did. would not the act he Judged very
differently in the two countries?
Diplomatic relations. however. nay
be maintained between two countries
whose views of right and wrong are
very different; but IL should not be
forgotten that we are doing much
more than maintaining diplomatic re-
lations. In France. in Great Britain.
in Russia. our diplomatic representa-
tivcs are acting as Germany's agents.
representing her interests; to them
her nationals in those countries. pris-
cners, wounded. informed or what not,
apply for help in trouble. so far as 1t
may be given. The same condition
does o obtain In Italy. because she
did not come into the war until after
friction between ourselves and Ger
many had developed. and the latter
apparently thought it was better that
$ me one else should represent her
interests there.
Now II We should p-int out that the
correspondence in reference to sub
marine warfare and other events
which have occurred within a year
indicates quite clearly hat the two
countries differ radically in their con
ceptiuns as To the obligations of inter
national law and the limitations of
military necessity. should suggest that
under those circumstances il would
seem wiser that our representatives
should iro longer act for Germany in
countries with which she is at war.
and should request hat she select
others to take their places, would not
something he accomplished?
Would it not bring home. more fore
IDLY than a mere repetition of our
former deliverances, appreciation of
the fact that we really have convic-
tons which. il necessary, We are pre-
pared to live up to?
1t has, at least. the merit that il
would be a step in advance, small in
deed, but significant.
1t has the further merit that ii need
alarm no pacitist. save the ultra
fahby ones who are too few In num-
her to he taken into account. because
II does not mean war, nor Is it ever
"A challenge To war. No nation ever
yet found cXcuse for going to war in
the refusal of another nation to act
as its agent IN tn" territories { other
nations. None ever Will make such
"A refusal casus bc.li, t. do So would
make il a laughing stock.
Since ii seems now in order to max,
suggestions, good. bad or indifferent
So as to invite discussion AID prcson,
lthc perpleXing questions which nov
confront the President from every
point Of view, this somewhat crude
proposal Is advanced. Possibly there
may be- something in II which can b.
made use 90; If not, the scrap hear
is always convenient. The excuse FOL
making il * that ! have nowhere seer
any reference to the peculiarly close
relations We bcar toward Germany in
the three ~belligercnt countries, pcrhap,
also in Serbia. G.. H. l..
NEW YORK. July IL.
"