The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-02
Germany's U.Boat Campaign an Utter Fail.
ure Except Against Inoffensive Mer.
chant. Ships. He Asserts

the presence Of a large Gcrmah element
in your population has been decisive In
keeping your Government out Of more pos
tive action than she h' taken.
"You have puzzled me. My knowledge
Of America would have led me to predict
hat as long as no great moral issues were
involved you might have had your people
Of German descent in sympathy with the
Germans In this war. with your people 81
British. French. Russian and Italian de-
scent in sympathy with the Allies. without
any positive action at all.
hut I CANNOT picture to myself America
speaking out on a moral or on a national
issue as a nation with any element putting
itself in opposition to the national will
after Americas ideals and national stand
ards Of state conduct were Outraged, AZ
they were. first by tho breach OF the Hague
conventions which America signed. by the
cruelties on Relgian civilization and. more
directly and obviously. r. German treat
ment Of the L%usitania. the Gulfight. the
F'alaba and other ships. especially after
your President had issued fun warning
that nations pei Detrating such deeds would
he held to strict accountability
To-day l cannot picture to myself any
element in America placing itself in oppo-
sition 10 the national will. I do not believe
that 10 per cent. Of the German born or
bred element in the States would I've anti
American II the choice between loyalty to
American or to German interests con-
fronte]d them. | do not believe that > per
cent. OF the British born or descended pco-
pie in the States would lie anti american
in the same circumstances That strong,
| believe, is the impress which America as
a nation makes upon those who seek her
shores
"Had America taken the stand which
YOU suggest | asked. what would have
been the effect upon the European war;"
II believe the moral effect would nave
been 80 great that 1t scarcely would have
been necessary for America to have taken
any direct military part.
Under "A great strain Of sacrifice and
privation Germany has been KEEP, going
very largely ny tho fact that no moral
|'"~ i'l'lit H'NNiF " ll'l HAS l''n expressed
save by those nations against which she is
fighting in arms.
81 believe that If in condemnation ~
her practices, the American Government
mad refused 10 have ar to permit any deal
inGs Whatsoever with an svowed enemy Of
civil ation. Germany would have lost
courage t" an extent which might have
effected the war inCalculdbly."
That, then, would have been the work
Of a true p~eaccmakor, S"u think suG-
cested.
Yes, If 20 terminate the war without
- military decision would Ne To assls,
peace. But, really, such \ peace would
II" merely the assurance "f another war
at an early date. II really ia, not a matter
for Governments or dipIumaiists 20 ar
range. The people "f England, Of Russia,
If France. are deterin ned never I" he en-
posed t" this kind Of thing again.
The armies IN 'uc field and Tho british
navy are doing the work If the true peace
maker. hut the navy is hideously hand.-
capped in is work hy our Governments
susceptibility 10 the demands of ncutralS.
20 which We have conceded far more than
W should have. Your Northern Govern
ment would have made no such conccss ons
during your civil war, ! think"
"Th,u.' suggested. as a world citizen
YOU think the United Statos has been rle
principal influence toward prolongation Of
the war
"E>actly So. hccaI~c shc has robbed our
sea siege If Germany nf much II Is ell
cheney. I assume she has cost i, - per
cent, and the Il ference between III per
cent. efficiency IN a hlocktd" and iO0 per
cent. efficiency is very great. Il gives
jus, that marg n Of food which
she must have in order to exist.
no parts in England ever really wanted
America to come in: none wants it now.
Sho is dong much good service, among
other things, 10y mltlcauuS IA" condition Of
our prisoners in German camps.
AS q helligorent she woUld not cease to
hc n base of supplies fnr tho Allies and
probably shc would open largo financial
credits for us, The American fleet world
he al our disposal, hut is not needed, Her
greatest possible service would he to take
her hands off the siege.
us 1t the general British belief. then.
that the time has come for a change NJ
American policy" asked
Il think II tho legal basis If british
policy should I've changed u w"lii make an
american change of policy easier Nou
do No, wish to help the Germans. hu' feel
compelled ~ resist oar blockade if a. amy
point il can he declared Illegal The change
suggest would not touch immediately ~"
dealings of outside ~ncutrals bordering On
Gcrmany. hut would enable the Application
to Holland, sweden and Norway
of he doctrine Of the continuous voyage
which American lawyers quite property in
vented during your Civll war,
zone Of the difficulties IN tho way ~
this solution is that tho conduct nf the
siege of German. IS in the hands If tn"
Hrrlsh Foreign ,nli'", ~i,,i' j. i""," T5i
by traditions that II * a peace mlkiug,
not a war making, department, Al war
measures should be in hands # men Al
war"
Mr., Pollen la's- on discussed with no