The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1916-04-29

6UU00x@ ~ muok DS~kA0 sSA 49, - e-ss
sinking OF the steamer Lusitania did,
a. 90 singuiarly tragical and un1usti'
fable % to constitute . truly terrible
example OF the inhumanity OF subma-
rine warfare a. the commanders Of
German vessels have for the past
twelve months been conducting
IT. II this instance stood alone. some
explanation. some disavowal By the
German government. some evidence
OF criminal mistake or willful disobe-
dience on the part OF the commander
Of the vessel that fred the torpedo
might be sought or entertained; but
unhappily It does not stand alone.
Recent events make the conclusion
inevitable that II ID only one instance.
even though It be one of the most ex-
treme and distressing instances. OF
the spirit and method Of warfare
which the imperial German govern.
ment has mistakenly adopted, and
which from the first exposed that gov
eminent to the reproach Of thrusting
all neutral rights aside in pursuit OF
it, immediate objects.
Tho government of the United
States has been very patient. At ev-
cry stage of this distressing expert
ence OF tragedy after tragedy In which
its own citizens were involved It had
sought to be restrained from any ex-
treme course of action or OF protest
by thoughtful consideration Of the
extraordinary circumstances OF this
unprecedented war and actuated In
all It said or did by the sentiments Of
genuine friendship which the people
of the United States have always en-.
tertained and continue to entertain to-
ward the German nation. It has. OF
course. accepted the successive expla-
nations and assurances of the impe-
rial German government as given In
entire sincerity and good faith, and
has hoped, even against hope, that 1t
would prove to be possible for the
German government so to order and
control the acts Of its naval comman-
ders as to square Its policy with the
principles of humanity as embodied
in the law of nations. It has been
willing to wait until the significance
OF the facts became absolutely unmis-
taxable and susceptible Of but one In
depreciation.
THAT point has now unhappily been
reached. The facts are susceptible
of but one Interpretation. The impe-
rial German government has been un-
able to put any limit or restraints
upon its warfare against either freight
or passenger ships. It has therefore
become painfully evident that the po-
sition which this government took at
the very outset is inevitable, namely,
that the use OF submarines for the de-
struction OF an enemy's commerce Is
OF necessity, because of the very char
acter of the vessels employed and the
very methods of attack which their
employment Of course involves, in
compatible with the principles OF hui
mainly. the long-established and incon-
trovertible rights of neutrals, and the
sacred immunities of non-combatants
Virtual UltImatum Sent.
II have deemed 1t my duty. there
fore. to say to the imperial German
government that II 1t is still its pur.
pose to prosecute ruthless and indis.
criminate warfare against vessels OF
commerce by the use of submarines,
Notwithstanding the now demon.
strated impossibility Of conducting
that warfare In accordance with what
the government of the United States
must consider the sacred and indis
putable rules Of international law and
the universally recognized dictates oil
humanity. the government OF the
United States is at last forced to the
conclusion that there is but one
course 1t can pursue: and that unless
the imperial German government
should now Immediately declare anc
effect an abandonment Of It's present
methods of warfare against passenger
and freight carrying vessels this gov
eminent can have no choice but Il
sever diplomatic relations with the
government of the German empire al
together.
This decision ] have arrived a
with the keenest regret; the possibil
ity OF the action contemplated l an
sure all thoughtful Americans vii
look forward to with unaffected reluc
lance. But we cannot forget that W,
are In some sort and by the force o
circumstances the responsible spokei
man Of the rights Of humanity. an,
that we cannot remain silent Will
those rights seem in process of beinI
utterly swept away In the maelstron
Of this terrible war. We owe Il to
due regard for our own rights as 4
nation, to our sense of duty as pre-
resentative Of the rights of neutral
the world over. and to joint conceI
ton of the rights OF mankind to TAX
this stand now with the utmost solen
nifty and firmness.
Il have taken It, and taken It /
the confidence that 1t will meet wit
your approval and support. All sobe
minded men must unite in hopir
| that the imperial German COVER
ment. which has in other circur
stances stood as the champion OF .
that we are how contending for In Il
| fnterest of huv,oauifv, t,,,ov ~ncc~.t.