The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-07-16
THE PROPER COURSE"
Comments on an Able Survey Of the
German American Issue.

UNI cUVS OU MI hUpt SuTNVy w s"V
German American Issue.
To THE EDITOR OF THE SuH-Str: l
have observed for a number of years
that sound words spoken at the proper
time and true conservatism are us
ually, IL not always, in harmony.
1t has been and is a great pleasure
to find a leading newspaper alert in
using fitting words on occasions when
events Of national Importance are hap
pening, and no less a pleasure to find
It RETAINING on such occasions from
captious or indiscreet comment. a
temptation which I surmise continu-
ally besets the editor Of a New York
daily newspaper.
with such feeling l refer to the lead
ing editorial article In THE Sun of July
l3, THE Proper Course" q comment
Upon the letter of THE SUNS able
correspondent who signs Lawyer"
whose letter Ia printed on the same
editorial page.
The editor says. referring to the let
ter: THE SUN goes with 1t up to
a certain point which point | as,
sumo includes the following demands
OF our Government as cited by
Lawyer:
1. That Germany shall abstain from
sinking or attacking American merchant
ships upon the high seas.
2. That Germany shall abstain from kul-
ing American citizens by sinking unarmed
merchant ships. AZ In case Of the Lusi-
tania. whether sailing under an enemys
nag ~ a neutral nag.
The editorial article further says
II anything IL to await the termination
Of the war for settlement and establish
ment 1t should be the innovations Of sub
marine attack attempted by the German
naval administration not the conhrma-
tion Of the rights which were unquestioncj
until after the war began. This Is a nxed
general principle OF interrational law. II
I, were not a nxed principle all interna'
t,onal agreements to make war as little
dreadful as possible 70 neu,rais and inno-
cent on-combatants would he blown 10
pieces by the opening gun.
Having thus quoted in order that
my suggestion may clearly apply. I
ask. why nay not the belligerent ma
tons. as we'll as the neutral nations. be
represented at once at The HaeSie In a
conference to establish the most hu-
name rules possible for submarine war
fare? II it is to be conceded on many
sides that the wal must cJii.inue until
certain ends are accomplished, ~ 'hef"
not all the more a necesstti for some
immediate action which VIII insure as
great a degree as possih,s ~ safety
for neutrais upon the hi-n seas
In Germany's note our Government
Is informed hat the Imperial Govern
ment Is willing to work with the
United States in the cause II human-
ity. The allied nations without eX-
ception make assertions Of their de-
sire to conduct warfare WITH respc
for humanity. The neut.al nations
are one with the United States In the
Interest of humanity.
All considered. why should there
not be deeds as well as words, in their
most effective form? Are We not con-
ceding too much to war as an ultimate
arbiter between nations. when we
refrain at any time from seeking
peace and pursuing H." through sich
conCiIiating influences as may a.'se
from the regulation Of warfare by uni
versal councils at The Hague?
Is 1t going too far to say that the
regulation OF submarine and air craft
warfare by international law is pos
sible? II not. then while Washing
ton and the German mind are framing
the letters which will indicate the iu-
ture policy of two great nations re-
garding the rights of %neutrals on the
high seas. may not an attempt be
made by all nations to define neutra'
rights in their relation to the innova-
ton OF the submarine as a feature in
warfare? II incidentally by such
council even the slightest advance
SHOULD be made in the direction of a
future peace, righteous in It's nature
and outcome, could any nation rightly
object thereto?
Can warning nations which have
avowed their purpose to act in the in
terests of humanity look too soon to-
ward the point where they must ulti-
mately converge in order to effect
peace? If it is to be at The Hague,
ii must needs be while there is n
Hague. A.
SCHENECTADY, July Is.