The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1916-03-04
FEAR A NEW CRISIS.
WASHINGTON OFFICIALS NOW
WORRIED BY GERmANY'S
SUBMARINE PLANS.
DEFENSE GUNS THE ISSUE
Also Is Deeply Con-
cerned Over Manner In Which Coun'
try VIII Receive the Terms OF Set
Element of the lusitania Case.
sy GEORGE CLINTON.

Washington.-Oficial in Washing
ton fear that under new plans for sub
marine warfare proposed TO De IoF
lowed by the central powers OF Eu'
rope. this country may become once
more involved in dangerous dlpiohalic
negotiations. Word has come that II
is the intention of the central powers
to order that merchant and passenger
vessels belonging to belligerents snail
be sunk without warning in case lhey
carry guns even for defense purposes
The mounting of guns for purely de-
Tense purposes has been recognlzeu aS
the right of merchant and passensei
ships. OF course it is also recognized
that if advance warning is gwen that
such vessels shall be sunk, the re-
sponsibility possibly may rest WIN
the nations which continue to arm
their passenger and merchant shlpS'
even if they are armed for defense
purposes. The main danger 10 inc
United States, it is recognized, is tha'
IL the proposed plan is carried OUT
some American vessel may De SUM
by mistake, and if this is done Things
are likely to break loose.
The administration just now Is
deeply concerned over the manner III
which the country may receive tne
terms of settlement of the Lusltahla
case. Some Washington officials De-
lieye that on the answer to this ques-
ton will depend to a considerable eA-
tent Mr.. Wilson's strength or weak
ness in the next campaign. In otner
words, the manner of the reception py
the country of the terms of the Lusi-
tania settlement may have its pollti-
cal as we'll as its diplomatic slgni-
/ ficance.
Victory or Failure2
There is no more striking evidence
/ of how men can disagree utterly IN
/ their opinions of things than Is pre-
scented by this Lusitania affair. Inc
tate department seemingly is entirely
satisfied that it has won a complete
victory. There are officials in Wash
| ington, however, who say that the
terms of the Lusitania settlement pre-
sent a picture of a complete failure OF
American diplomacy. There you are
Take your choice.
Seemingly, Germany has admitted
now that it is counter to internationa
law for a war vessel to sink an un
armed merchant ship or passenger
ship without making provision for the
safety of those on board. Germany
did not want to admit that the sink
ing of the Lusitania was illegal, anC
so the word 'unjustifiable," or one
meaning the same thing, has been EN-
ployed to cover the case. Therefore
according to the administration poin
of view, the use Of this word, or
synonym, is entirely satisfactory pro
yided it is not intended to limit thu
activities of the word so that they will
cover only those vessels which hav'
neutral passengers on board. In 9th
er words, the administration believe
the proper Interpretation of Germany
position is that it is unjustifiable AM
has been unjustifiable from the first t
sink merchant or passenger vessel
: without providing for the safety o
crew and passengers, even IL both ar
composed entirely Of citizens of cour
tries with which Germany is at war.
Washington knows the Lusitani
case is loaded with politics, while
ought not to be loaded with anythin
but nonpartisan diplomacy. Pc
iticians here agree that the politics
campaign next summer partly will b
directed along "Lusitania lines" c
, course it is recognized by the pc
, iticians here that the extent to whic
, the case will figure in the campaig
! depends largely upon the amount {
resentment, or of satisfaction, whicl
, ever it may be, to be shown by tn
country when it mas had time tho
oughly to comprehend the final tern
of settlement of this cause of contr
versy between the United States an
. Germany.
: Not a Partisan Issue.
y Preparedness seems to cover with
sort of cloak the interest in other ma
Y tiers of legislation. The situation
I regard to the feelings of members
t congress on the subject is just abo'
what it was. 1t is becoming more g,
/. dent day by day, however, that Il
preparedness bill will be put throug
but II will go to its passage apparer
t " aided by the votes of the Repu
licans.
e It has been apparent for some tin
that preparedness is not partisan
sue. Some of the leading Democra
A have been opposed to it from the We
start, but seemingly out Of regard I
the feelings of the administration SUI
of the Democratic party leaders as a
opposed to preparation for defen
have refrained from making speech
against 1t on the floor of house al
senate. The debate, however, Is goi
II on daily and it is said in Washingt
70 that never before since the beginnin
i of this government have there been
II many varying views expressed on
10 legislative subject as on this priI
= matter.
II It is too early yet to say what fol
u ultimately the legislation will tai
~ but If congress finally turns out son
ID thing concrete made up as it must
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