The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1916-05-05
Issues of the German
Submarine Controversy.
Chicago Tribune).

Chicago Tribune).
The reasoning back OF the demand
for breach of relations and possible
war with the central powers Is either
insufficient or, unexpressed.
Narrowed to discussion OF issues
raised by the submarine operation,
40 case which can convince an IN
biased and unimpassioned mind has
been made out for so drastic and
costly step.
There are legal contentious in
volved. Although the president dog
matlcally asserts the applicability OF
the rule of visit and search to the
submarine, international lawyers
concede to the German contention
considerable weight. 1t has been
conceded by Mr.. Wilson to England
that changes in the conditions and
nstrumentalities of war have made
proper modification of the rules of
effective blockade. The same reason
ing applies to the rule of visit and
search in its application to the sub
marine.
Sane governments do not go to war
TO sustain legal theories, arguable or
not, unless their enforcement is nee
essary to the defense OF a right or
interest so substantial and important
as to justify an assumption Of the
cost and responsibilities Of war.
The rights and interests involved
in the submarine controversy may be
divided into those which are directly
personal and those which are national
or international.
The personal right or interest is
the right or interest Of American
citizens to travel on ships of one ol
the belligerent parties, In waters in
volved in naval operations. The
assertion of this right includes the
case of Americans who elect to flnC
employment on ships of belligerent'
employed in conveying ammunition
, or necessary supplies. 1t demands
that IN order not to jeopariize th'
safety of such Americans a belligeren
submarine, unless it can conform t.
the letter If the rule of visit ant
search, as hitherto formulated, shal
refrain from attacking the munition
carrier because of the voluntar
presence OF the American employ
: thereon.
No sane government would incu
\ the responsibility Of Involving 1t
;, people 10 war for the enforcement
= such a right or interest. Its legality
j., its morality, its Importance even
the individual, since his presence o
shipping engaged 10 belligerent sci
vice is voluntary, are all challeng
able and cannot justify the cost
, war.
The question of national intere
divides In this way: Is it to the aC
vantage of the United States that II
efficiency of submarine operation
i against merchantmen be restricte'
:. Is it our interest TO. restrict Germ;
~ naval operations in this war to T.
~ advantage of the sea power?
- On the frst point The Tribune
- lieves it is to the grave disadvanta
~ of the United States 10 establish
rule which il obeYed by US 10 time
,s war would prevent US from aggr'
90 sively interrUpting the supply of
- base against us by the simple dew
bo of employing neutral subjects or ci
zens on either enemy or neutral sh
be ping.
&c AS to the advantage of hnderi
~ German naval operations for
al benefit of the sea power, strong C;
= may be made out. But If we lnt
be war on this theory we should do
70 after a full consideration of all II
I'D it implies and we should develop
tie its possibilities in the form of d
80 mite policy which should Incll
~ definite engagements to protect
nd and our interests for the present
the future. This would mean