Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-02-24
Three Dancers to Avoid,

The mistaken policy OF Great Britain
in directing her armed merchant yes
sells to attack German s,lbn arines has
resulted in the announcement that
Germany, beginning March /, viii sink
armed enemy merchantmen without
warning The enlightened suggestion
made by the United States, to the ef-
feet that merchantmen should pre-
serve their true character and prove 1t
beyond question bya disarming, has
heen rejected by Great Britain. which
prefers to subject her" Shipping to the
Fisk Of instant destruction rather than
forego the opportunity, o, occasionally
destroying an enemy submarine.
The United States is, not concerned
with attractions OF International law
by either belligerent, so long as Am
orleans and American interests are not
involved. II American citizens are not
on board armed merchantmen. it mat
tiers not whether these vessels escape
or are destroyed. But since Great Brit
ain refuses to insure the genuine char
acter of her merchanrIn emf and Is bent
upon using them for fighting purposes,
it behooves the United States govern
ment to warn American citizens that
these vessels are not what they pur-
port to be and that they should be
avoided for purposes OF travel.
Two other possible causes Of friction
lur-k in the situation as it will develop
after March 1.-The misuse Of the Am
erican flag and the use OF American
ports by armed fighting vessels posing
as merchantme
Early in the war The Post comner/-
ed upon the complications that might
arise thru the fraudulent use of the
American flag by vessels Of belliger-
ents. 1t was suggested that congress
should enact such legislation as would
prevent the use OF the American hae
by vessels Of other nations. The flag
was used in several vases by British
merchantmen thru SUCH deception. The
British government, while denying tina,
1t had instructed merchantmen to fly
the American flag, raised the question
whether any real harm was done see
Ing that the flag had prevented the de-
struction Of life. But the danger lies
| in the fact that continued use OF neu-
trail flags by belligerents leads the
enemy to place all vessels under sus-
picion. bona fide neutral as we'll as bel
ligerent. Hence a genuine American
vessel, flying its flag in the war zone
| might be mistaken for British vesse,
under false colors and suffer destruc-
ton. on course, reraration would be
| made SO far as possible, but there Il
no adequate reparation for the loss Of
. American life, and the public indigna-
ton might lead to war.
A similar danger confronted this
country in 1903. and President Jeffer-
son urged congress "to punish severely
those persons, citizen or alien, who
, shall usurp the cover Of our flag fol
vessels not entitled to It, injecting
| thereby with suspicion those of rea
Americans and committing us in|
controversies for the redress OF wrongs
| not orr own"
The third possible cause Of friction
namely the attempt OF armed lighting
vessels posing as merchantmen tt
carry on commerce thru American
ports, is likely to become sharp is.
sue Immediately after March /. It car
be avoided IL the United States gov.
eminent will amend its port regulation,
SO as to reduce the armament OF mer.
chantment Of belligerents to unques.
tionably defensive proportions and re.
fuse clearances to all that carry Of.
fensive armament.
The United States can not become 4
party to the perfdious policy OF arm
ing merchant vessels for purposes o
attack A merchant vessel armed witt
big guns manned by trained gun crew
and under instructions to attack ere
my warshtps IL in fact war vessel
has no right to enter American port
for commercial purposes. It must eithe
be restored to the condition Of q BON
fde merchaftman or be treated ~
war vesse1-that IL. permitted to tax
on fuel and provisions suhScient :
carry 1t to its nearest horne port an
then De required to 5dsRaT g De Y
termed. IS
NO commerce ,rAid4T4 nghfing mos