Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-04-20

without the slightest Color OF 1uhllilch-
ton. No limit Of any kind has in fact
been ret 10 the indscriminate pursuit
and destruction Of merchantmen ~ all
kinds and nationalities within the waters,
extending in area, where these
operations have been carried on; and the
roll OF Americans who have lost their
lives on shlps thus attacked and destroyed
has grown month by month until the
omlnous toll has mounted into the hum
dreds.
Case 81 the snsseA.
One Of the latest and most shocking
instances Of this method Of warfare was
that Of the destruction OF the French
steamer sussex. 1t must
stand forth, a. the sinking Of the steamer
I.usitania did. a. 10 siDgnlarly traElcal
and unjuatified as TO constitute a truly
terrible example Of the inhumanity OF
submarine warfare, ~ the commanders
OF German vessels have for the last
twelve months been conducting IT, II
this Instance stood alone, some explapa-
lion. some dlsavowal by the German
some evidence ~ criminal
mistake or NiHNi Hlh9H'"t'HN@ VI 49,
part Of the commander Of tho vessel that
fired the torpedo might be sought or en-.
tertained. but unheppily u does not stano
alone. Recent events make the eoncln-
sion Inevitable that II u only one M
stance. even though Il be one Of the most
extreme and distressing instances OF the
spirit and method of warfare which the
imperial German government has mistsk-
emily adopted and which from The first
exposed that government 10 The feproach
of fhrustlng all neutral rights aside IN
pursuit of ~ immediate objects.
United states IL Patient
'eFhe government Of the United states
hae been very patient ~ every stage
Of this distressing experience Of tragedy
after tragedy 10 which ~ own citizens
were involved, II has sought 70 be re-
strained from any extreme course Of SC
ton or Of protest BY q thoughtful con-
slderaiion 81 the extraordinary crelpn-
aiances ~ this unprecedented war, Ana
aetnated In al that # ssid or did BY
the sentiments, OF genuine friendship
which the people Of the United states
have always entertained and continue 70
entertain towards the German nation. u
has Of course accepted the successive
explanations and assurances OF the im-
perihl German government as given In
entire sincerity and good faith, and has
hoped. even against hope, that Il would
prove 10 be possible for the German gov
eminent 10 80 control the acts Of rs
naval commanders rs to square It's policy
with the principles Of humanity aA en-
bodied IN the law of nations. II has been
willing 20 walt until the significance OF
the facts became absolutely unmistakable
and susceptible Of but one Interpretation.
Kaiser Falls 20 Control Navy.
THAT point now has unhappily been
reached. The facts are susceptible Of bur
one Interpretation. The imperial Ger
man government has not been able 10
put any limits or restraints upon its
warfare against either freight Or pas
senger ships II has, therefore, become
painfully evident that the position which
this government took al the very outset
Is inevitable namely that the use OF
submarines for the destruction of an
enemya commerce il Of necessity, be
cause of the very character Of the vcs'
sells employed and the very methods ~
attacks which then employment. Of
course. Involves. incompatible with the
principles OF humanity. the long estab.
lished and incontrogertble rights Of neu.
trails and the saetd impurities Of nom
oombatants.
Il have deemed Il my duty therefore.
20 say 70 the imperial German govern
ment that II II Is still ~ purpose 10
prosecute relentless and nuiserimnate
warfare against vessels Of commerce by
the use Of submarines, Notwithstanding
the now demonstrated impossiblity OF
conducting that warfare IN accordance
with what the government Of the United
States must consider the sacred and in
dasputable rules Of international law
and the universally recognized dictates Of
humanity the government OF the United
States Is at last forced 10 the conclusion
that there Is but one course Il can Rlir-
sue. and that unless the imperial Ger
man government should now Immediately
declare and effect an abandonment Of
It's present methods OF warfare against
passenger and freight carrying vessels
this government can have no choioe but
70 sever diplomatic relations altogether
''ihis decision ! have arrived at with
the keenest regret the possibility OF the
action contemplated ! am sure all
thoughtful Americans will look forward
to with unaffected reluctance, nut We
cannot forget that we are in some sort
and by the force Of circumstances the
responsible spokesmen OF the rights OF
humanity, an that We cannot remain
silent while these rights seem in process
o. being swept utterly away IN the mael.
strom OF this terrible war We Que Il
to a due regard for our own rights as
nation 10 our sonse of duty AZ repre-.
sentative 81 the righlH ~ neutrals the
world over and to lust conception ~
The rights Of mankind 10 take this stan,