The Washington times., 1916-12-26
BL0ckADING THE UNITED
STATES


boats of the coast Of the United
States, where, after a visit to an
American port and naval base, where
presumably they got information
about the locations Of ships on the
sea lanes, they destroyed a number
Of vessels, was described by Theo-
dore Roosevelt as "war grinning ut
US from just outside the three-mile
limit" We may begin, now, TO re-
alize how entirely he was correct.
This newspaper descrif that per-
Torrance as the beginning Of a
blockade OF the United States.
Precisely with what object the
German undersca craft came across
the ocean for that brief and
spectacular raid is not yet
entirely clear. It is quite pos
sible, however, that an important
part Of their instructions was TO
touch ut an American port before
beginning their work Of destruction;
on the theory that, II they were per-
mitted to touch, TO get such n well
come rs was accorded TO them. and
TO get away again, II would give an
uncomfortable feeling to the allies,
and tend to injure their confidence
in the benevolence OF American neu-
trality. There Is no doubt that IL
had that effect.
Now comes from the other side OF
the ocean the story Of how the Brit
ish and French admiralties are CO.
operating to eliminate the United
States from their shipping routes.
They will make Halifax their great
American maritime base for COM
mercial as well as naval operations.
New York, Boston, Baltimore will
be taken of the shipping map Of the
western powers, just so far as pos
sible, in order that their vessels may
be saved from the necessity Of skirt
ing our coast, all too hospitable to-
ward the German submarines; in
order that they may be saved from
the need TO conform to regulations
Of the American authorities about
arriving for defense. and in order,
finally that they may insure the
argest secrecy in connection with
measures for protection against the
underwater boats.
New York, seeing its shipping
withdrawn TO Halifax, discovering
its railway tonnage suddenly re-
duced by the diversion Of a vast
volume to the eastern Canada port,
will have ample opportunity to con-
template the beauties Of neutrality
that suddenly shifts to a British
naval bass a large share Of the mari
time importance that American ports
once held. Along with this comes
the report that Germany is getting
ready to turn her submarines loose
with the purpose Of relentlessly and
Internationally sinking all vessels
found making for British ports. IL
il means war with the United States,
SO much the worse for the United
States. We have no especial sig
nificance as a military or naval fac
tor-as German naval extremists
view it-but are Of large importance
as a supply base for the allies. So
it may be necessary to force a war
with US il necessary to make an ex-
cuse for completing the blockade Of
the United States. Berlin suspects
that. following the Inauguration Of
this campaign, Germany and the
United States will be at war by next
spring; and Mr.. Secretary Lansing
manifestly takes a view not widely
different.
There is a cynical suspicion in
entente circles, according to reports
from the other side, that President
Wilson was moved to send his peace
suggestion by the fact that he had
information of Germany's plan of
unrestrained warfare, and wished to
save this country from being made
the victim of such a new outbreak
of terrorism. If this view were
worthy of consideration it would as
sumo that the American Government
wished to do something substantial
for Germany, just at this juncture,
as the price of Germany's amiability
and bid to her to suspend her ex-
IRENE purposes of hostility toward
us. OF course, to impute such a mo-
tive to President Wilson is unthink-
able. In time, both warning factions
will realize that there WAS no con-