New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-18
WEASEL DIPLOMACY
Patent Contradictions in Mr.. Wilson's
UJ-Boat Policy
To the Editor Of The Tribune.


Sir: The question as to what should
be done by the United States regarding
the destruction by q German submarine
of the ships off Nantucket was settled
by Mr.. Wilson in his note Of last April
to Germany, as follows:
Vessel. Of neutral ownership :
have been destroyed along with vessels
Of beligerent ownership. Some
times their passengers and crews nave
been vouchssfed the poor security Oh
being allowed to take to the ships
boat. before the ship was sent to the
"The government Of the United States
has been very patient 1t has
become painfully evident to 1t that the
position which it took at the very out
set Is inevitable, nsmely-the use OF
submarines for the destruction OF an
enemy's commerce is, of necessity, be-
cause Of the very character Of the YES
sells employed, and the very methods Oh
attack which their employment Of
course involves, utterly incompatible
with the principles Of humanity, the
long established rights of neutrals and
the sacred immunities Of non-combs-
tants.
"If it is still the purpose OF the i'm
perial government to prosecute relent-
less and indscriminate warfare against
vessels of commerce by the use of sub
marines, without regard to what the
government of the United States must
consider the sacred and indisputable
rules of international law and the uni
versally recognized dictates Of human
ity, the government of the United
States is at last forced to the conclu-
sion that there is but one course it can
pursue
"Unle.s the imperial German govern
ment should now Immediately declare
and effect an abandonment Of its pres
emit methods of warfare against pas
senger and freight carrying vessels, the
government Of the United States can
have no choice but to sever diplomatic
relations with the government OF the
German Empire altogether"
There can be no loophole or misun-
derstanding in regard TO what should
now be done. Neutral vessels have
been destroyed, together with vessels
of belligerent ownership. 1.-THE use of
submarines for their destruction is, Of
necessity, because Of their character,
utterly incompatible with the principles
Of humanity, the long established
rights of neutrals and the sacred i'm
munities Of non-combatants," and Mr..
Wilson cannot escape his own conclu-
sion that, unless the imperial German
government abandoned that mode Of
warfare, the government Of the United
States had no choice but to sever diplo-
matte relations with Germany.
What ! cannot understand Is why
We should speak of "the universally
recognized dictates Of humanity, the
long established rights Of neutrals and
the sacred immunities Of non-comba-
tants," and then supinely wait until an
American is killed. There seems to be
a contradiction of terms. Is an Ameri-
can the only one that can be considered
a -combatant? Have we not as q
people chosen 20 feel under obligations
to inhabitants of other countries
Have we no obligations toward human
ity in general? Does not the starvs-
ton and slaughter of Armenians, Serbs
and Belgians appeal to us? Why, then,
should Mr.. Wilson wait until some
American is killed before severing dip
lomatic relations with that country
which is waging a ruthless war toward
humanity?
Mr.. Wilson is reported TO have said:
"The country may rest assured that
Germany will be hold to its promises.
| have no right nov to question their
willingness to fulfil them" That is
not the question. Mr.. Wilson definitely
crossed his bridge and burned it behind
him when he concluded that unless they
declared and effected an abandonment
of their present methods Of warfare
(the sinking Of passenger and freight
carrying vessels by submarines), "the
United States government can have no
choice but to sever diplomatic relations
with the government of the German
Empire altogether"
CLARENCE B. WOOD.
Boston, Mass, Oct. 10, 1916.