The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-21
WILLIAM BAYARD HALE EXPLAINS IN DETAIL THE PURPOSE
OF GERMAN DECREE CONFZSCA7NG ALL GRAINS AND FLOUR
Declares the Wilhelmina Should be Released. as Great
Britain Expects U. S. to Aid in Starving Ger
many-No Reference to Imported Grains.

fed and has reversed its record Of over
a hundred years. Far from reaching
forth to the further high ends an-
nounced by her Minister OF Foreign Az
fairs a few years ago. she has gone
backward all the way TO the other
extreme, now announcing her probable
intention OF declaring all foodstuffs Alb
solute contraband Of war.
This IL the more remarkable "a
the policy which reached Its fullest ex-
preston In tho instructions quoted
above might be supposed to be a policy
not only of humanity but OF self-inter-
est to a Power seated on AN island
whose food supply IL peculiarly liable
TO he cut of. What Influences or con
sideratlons have brought about this
change OF policy will re one or the
subjects that will interest the hlsto-
rians of the war. However. 1t In no
practical concern of ours If Great Brit
ain has concluded to try to starve
Germany that is not a matter on which
the United States, a neutral nation. can
have anything to say. England may do
it II che can. She may not. however.
expect us to help her. That Ia forbid
den us. unless we desire to take our
place openly at her side az an ally.
Nothing has changed since 1893, when
Thomas Jefferson instructed our Min
lister In London that England might fill
the desire of starving France. but that
she had no right to do II at our loss
nor TO make us the instrument OF 1t.
War. in its modern somewhat more
humane form. has been understood to
be waged between the armed forces OF
belligerent Governments. and not Dy
those Governments upon the civilian
populations OF the enemy country. Yet
II can be understood that in the des-
perate struggle now going on war
should take on again the more prim-
tive form In which II fails to distin-
gulsh between the enemy with arms In
his hands and the peaceful populations
who have stayed at home.
We are outside OF the struggle and
can have nothing TO say against pro-
cedures taken under this lamentable
lapse into inhumanity-until the pro-
cedures Involve us. And then there In a
great deal which We rave a right TO say
and which W. must say. II Germany
were TO sink an American merchant ves-
sci Germany would have to answer to
US. There are those who believe that
there IL LANCER of such a calamity TAX
ing place. II need not be said that Il
would be a terrible one indeed.
hut there has already taken place an
incident the gravity OF which will not
az once be fully appreciated by the peo-
pie OF the United states, but which,
there Is reason to fear. may reveal itself
as the basis of one OF the most critical
situations which the American Govern
nent has ever bee. called upon to face.
The seizure OF the Wilhelmina has been
made. after weeks OF consideration OF
It's case. II after very full exchanges
of views between Washington and
Downing street. 1t is evident mat there
Is between the two Governments an
entire divergence Of View. The position
of our own Government is clear. and |
understand It has been positively taken.
IT. argument certainly is unausweIab.e
save with the answer that military
necessity compels England to refuse
American ships the right to sail the
seas upon lawful and innocent errands
| do not see how we can accept that
answer.
who do not see how We can accept that
answer
Events In the theatre or war and in
tho consciousness of the peoples both
bell gerent and neutral are shaping
themselves IN outlines SUCH as to war
RAM the gravest apprchens.ons In the
minds Of thoughtful Americans
That the dangers DO not lie all on one
il seems 20 mo ought to be brought
home to liz, ought 10 fall upon us with
IA SOLDERING consciousness Of the ahso-
lute necessity of disprsing our minds
and ordering our llehtest words i'm sub
mission TO the ptccepts of palnstakinC
neutrality WILLIAM BAyAHp HALE.
posTSCRGpT-lf Great Britain should