Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-02-29
The Principle at Stake.


When the broad principle of our latestissue with
Germany regarding submarine warfare is under
stood it seems almost impossible that there should
be any reasonable or honest doubt as to what our
State Department ought to do and what Congress
ought not to do. The question at bottom is very
simple Germany has announced that after March
the first she will sink armed merchantmen of the
Allies without warning, although they are armed
solely for defense: and without provision for the
safety of passengers and crew, although citizens
of neutral countries be amongst them II this pol
icy is carried it will lead to the indiscrminate
slaughter of innocent persons travelling peaceful
ships il will lead sayagery and frigntfulness such
as even this terrible has never known. For
IL will be practically impossible without some cha-
Isnge and some method of visit and search, for
German submarines to determine whether mer-
chairman is armed or unarmed, whether its guns
be designed for purposes of attack only for de-
tense. In reality, then, Germany's proclamation
that she intends to sink armed merchantmen with
out warning is a proclamation that she intends to
sink all enemy merchantmen without warning.
Even though the United States had no national
interests of it's at stake it could not AFFORD to
condone so fragrant a breach of international law
and humane principles. As a great and righteous
republic we owe something to the world and to
civilization as well as ourselves. The fact is.
however that the United States itself has vast
deal involved in this issue. The rights of its COM
merce on the high seas, the rights and lives of its
citizens engaged in peaceful and legitimate errands
abroad its standing under international law its in
auence in international AFFAIRS its sovereignty and
integrity and honor are all vitality concerned.
If we consent either openly or by silence to Ger
many's plan OF torpedoing merchant vessels with
out warning and of treating noncombatants and
neutraIs as though they were marines on man OF
var or soldiers in the trenches, we thereby re-
nounce the principles for which we have contended
in the Lusitania the Gulfght and all similar
Ii we declare either explicitly or implicitly that
American citizens are at fault when they take pas
sage on a British liner or merchantmen, we virtual
" forego any claims we now hold against subma-
rine outrages in the months gone by; and further
more we virtually release Germany from the
DIedge she has given us that the Lustania and the
Arabic crimes shall not be repeated
The German Government has promised solemn
" through its ambassador at Washington and in
notes direct from Berlin, that:
Liners will not be sunk without warning,
and without safety of the lives of noncombat-
ants. provided that the liners do not try to
escape or offer resistance"
In the light of this pledge it is difficult to under
stand how Germany can reconcile her own con-
science and honor with her present threat to de-
stroy merchantmen without warning. Yet, certain
members OF Congress would have the United States
countenance and tacitly approve that breach of
faith by forbidding Americans to travel on British
vessels They would have nation fold its flag
and stink cravenIy away from its rights its duties
and honor.
Much has been said of late regarding the pro-
priety of Americans travelling on belgerent ships.
As matter of personal safety, this is question
which the individual American must decide for him
self in the light of his peculiar needs and interests
liners or those of any belligerent as matter of
Datriotic duty is too Bryanesque to be tolerated
In the current number of the Outlook, this aspect
If the issue is cogently stated by Mr.. EIlery C.
stoweIl. Assistant Professor of International Law
and Diplomacy at Columbia University and
thority of nationwide repute. Says Mr.. Stowell:
cit has never been considered part of
American patriotism TO fOrego the exercise of
the rights of an American citizen, especially
when the interests of the individual i'm
portant enough to lead him to risk his life for
them. In these circumstances, it is his
country's duty to protect him and not to ask
him to forego his rights so as TO relieve ii OF
its legitimate responsibilities to him"
President WILSON stated the sam, principle still
more forcsfuIIy when he wrote in his recent letter
IN Senator Stone:
ITO forbid our people TO exercise their
rights for fear might be called upon TO
vindicate them would be deep humiliation,
indeed
For Congress to pass resolution warning
Americans not to travel British ships because
of the danger involved would be babyishly absurd.
unless We to assume that. Americans are utterly
ignorant of the fact that war is in progress For
Congress to ehac; legislation forbiddng Americans
10 travel on a belIigerent merchantmen would be
oowardIy device for evading issue that involves
the first principles OF national honor.
The duty OF the State Department is clear; it
should refuse absolutely to admit the legality of
Cermany's submarine course. The duty of Con-
sress is clear; it should leave the conduct of this
grave issue TO the executive and diplomatic heads.