Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-03-10
Future Possibilities in
The Submarine Issue.

So long as there the faintest doubt that
Congress would support the President in his stand
for duty and honor and right under international
law, American diplomacy was painfully handicap
ped in dealing with the submarine issue Not until
this aI-important aspect of the case was deter
mined beyond question. could the State Depart
ment negotiations with the Central Pow
further suggestion to the Allies;
for. vill uphold its own honor
and right 1ect and does not deserve TO be
needed by others.
All such doubts having been dispeIIed however.
TIE way is clear for firm and tactful steps toward
settling the submarine issue. The President now
can do more than urge Americas just claims upon
Berlin; he can deal persuasivey and. we believe,
effectively with London well. While saying to
Germany that the right OF Americans to travel on
belgerent merchantmen armed only for de-
Tense must be respected and will be maintained,
say also to England that a matter OF hon
orable expediency it would be well for her to dis
arm her merchant ships. least those engaged
in transatlantic travel
Thus without relinquishing any American
right and without questioning any belligerents
legal right to provide merchantmen with defen-
sfve arms the United States can exert its inHu-
ence to remove the sole remaining pretext for
Illegal submarine operations. IL il succeeds il
will have relieved its own citizens or a grave peril
and also will have solved through wise diplomacy
one of the most vexing International problems OF
the war. 1t will have served its own purpose and
at the same time will have done much to restore
the freedom OF the seas.
No such representations to England at this
time would be proper or advisable were our in
sIstence upon Germany's observing the law less
firm or less well defined. We could not afford
to be put in the attitude of asking one beigerent
10 forego 1.-The exercise of a legal right because
another belligerent declined to respect inter
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many. our only just and reasonable position must
5e that she should refrain from torpedong mer-
chantmen, whether armed for defense or Unarmed,
without warning because the law of nations and
ne rules of civilized warfare require her do
20. The moment we recede from that position.
We lose standing in the international court
and our influence as a neutral becomes impotent.
Had Congress refused to sustain the President in
MS stand on this supremacy important principle.
had Congress by the remotest implication bowed
% Gefmany's illegal contentious, nothing that
Government might urge concerning submarine
practices would be avsilng-
But Congress has spoken Enthusiastically in sup
BORT of the Presidents Germany knows
and all the world knows that United States
stands unswervlngIy its sovereignty and
for international law. Therefore, the United
States can turn consistently to England with sug-
gestions that British merchantmen traversing the
Atlantic go unarmed. in order that every pretext
for submarine attacks without warning be
moved and in order all danger neutral pas
sengers- be averted. Germany has reiterated her
pledge not TO attack liners without warning if
they are unarmed II. then, such vessels are dis
armed the submarine issue will be settled far
IS neutrals and noncombatants concerned.
The United States cannot demand that England
adopt this course. for under the law merchantmen
have a right to carry defensive arms; but the
United States can and should exert its diplomatic
influence in this and all other ways to assure
safety TO innocent lives and due freedom ocean
highways.