The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1915-05-18
WHO WILL DECIDE RULES OF
WARFARE ON HIGH sEAs7

In the old days when the West was
wild and woody the best advice that
could be given tenderfoot was this:
Never reach for your hip pocket
unless you intend to be working the
trigger as your hand comes out"
Bluffing was decidedly dangerous
in those days. 1t has not become ell
tirely safe yet.
The barroom fighter says to anoth-
er: Here you; cut that out. If you
do It again, I'll knock your block off. y
He must be prepared to back up
his words, or the other fellow is IL
able to do some block knocking him.
self
A nation cannot afford to bluff any
more than an individual can afford to
do so.
When an individual is caught bluff.
fing he alone suffers humiliation and
loss OF prestige. When a nation is
caught blufiing. millions Of 1ndividu
ais feel the sting OF disgrace and
lose standing in the eyes of the
world.
The United States has been put to
a severe test several times during
the present war in Europe. Its pa.
thence will yet be tried many more
times before peace comes.
II 1t tells any nations at war what
they must NOT do that affects AM
orleans, 1t must be prepared to back
its words to the limit. The time has
come for clear definition of this
nations policy.
We believe that individuals have
no right to plunge hundreds OF thou.
sands OF Americans into the shameful
conflict by assuming unnecessary
risks. We also believe It Is the duty
OF this government to make clear its
opinion along this line so all will
know what they can expect when
they brave the dangers OF travel
abroad.
Whatever policy this nation adopts
should be strictly backed up. The
American people want no diplomatic
bluffs.
Our theory is that the passengers
who took passage on the Lusitanla
placed their lives temporarily under
the protection of the British flag and
the British government, for they sail.
ed on boat owned by Englishmen
and subject to call as an auxiliary
cruiser in the British service.
II this government takes the view
that it has no right to avenge an
attack like this on the British nag,
we believe It should make known its
view SO American people and foreign
nations can have no excuse for mis-
understanding our policy.
But whatever is determined, the
American people will expe,t the is
sue to be clearly set forth and rigid
ly supported.
England contends that the dread
naught must set the style for sea
fighting. She has superabundance
Of dreadnaughts that are idle.
Germany says that dreadnaughts
are old fashioned and not of much
use In modern warfare. She excels
in submarines; therefore, Germany
declares that the rules Of naval war
fare must be adapted to the style of
the submarines.
If the world accepts the reasoning
OF the kaiser then new standards
must be accepted. The submarines
cannot show the mercy the dread
naught can display.
England says that warship must
give warning to a merchant vessel
before alta ,king it, The dreadnaught
fires shot across the bow of the
merchant ship as a warning TO stop
for search and seizure.
Germany answers that, when a sub
marine shows itself and commands a
large merchant ship to stop the lat
ter rams and sinks the submarine or
puts on its superior speed and es'
capes.
Who is going to settle this dispute
and decide whether a new rule Of
the sea is to be accepted? England
certainly is in no position to stop
the dreadful new style of naval war