New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-11-01
Mr.. Wilson's Broken Pledges;
Nv

Germany MI. NllSOil plSuSVu lli4''SN'A
TO give protection TO Americans trav-
ding on the high seas. That pledge
accorded with the declaration Of the
Democratic national platform OF
1912 that "the constitutional rights
Of American citizens should protect
them on our borders and go with
them throughout the world" But
il was given under circumstances
which emphasized its meaning and
importance. It was given to cover
specific case-to meet a specific
threat.
Germany had established by a
PROCLAMATION, dated February 4,
1915. a "war zone" about Great
Britain and Ireland and had given
rotice that all enemy vessels entering
or leaving British and Irish ports
would be torpedoed by German I'M
Cersea boats without warning or
search. Neutral nations were urged
10 keep their merchant vessels out Of
British and Irish waters, lest they,
too. should be torpedoed by mistake
or inadvertence.
The wilson Administration
promptly challenged this arbitrary
attempt to suspend the established
rules Of naval warfare. In its note
Of February 10 our government said:
If the commanders Of German war
vessels should act upon the presump-
ton that the flag Of the United States
is not being used in good faith, and
should destroy on the high seas an
American vessel. or the lives Of Amer
lean citizens. il would be difficult for
the government Of the United States
20 view the act in any other light than
AS an indefensible violation Of neutral
rights which il would be hard to
reconcile with the friendly relations
now so happily subsisting between
the two governments. II such de-
plorahle situation should arise, the
German government can readily ap-
preciate that the government OF the
United States would be constrained
10 hold the Imperial Government to
strict accountability for such acts
OF their naval authorities, and TO take
any steps 10 might be necessary TO
take 10 safeguard American lives and
nropertv. and 70 secure 20 American
citizens the full enjoyment Of their
acknowledged rights on the high seas
The acknowledged rights of Amer
leans on the high seas included the
right to non-combatant treatment
when taking passage on the unarmed
merchantmen of nations at war with
Germany. So the note of February
10 gave notice in advance Of pur-
nose to exact "strict accountability"
both for attacks on American vessels
and for injury done TO Americans
who might be passengers on Allied
merchantmen torpedoed without
warning and in violation of the
visitation, search and non-combatant
immunity provisions of international
law.
When Mr.. Bryan wrote this note
and Mr.. Wilson approved it, neither
one of them had any idea that the
Administration would be called on
so quickly or in so tragic manner
TO make good what the note said.
They were living in a FOOLS Para
disc.
Mr.. Wilson had told Congress only
two months before that to make any
adequate preparation for using force
10 defend ourselves or enforce our
rights "tCould mean merely that
nc had been thro7cn of oar balance
bu a tcar with which ace hare moth
ma TO do. iChosc causes cannot touch
ps. whose Ucry existence affords ms
opportunities Of friendship and dis
interested service iChich should make
as ashamed Of any thought Of hos
taity or fearful preparation for
trouble"
He had told Congress that the
country was SNhiNA'uN4g PitPoiNu IA
military sense, when, in fact, II
was not at all prepared, 10 maintain
American rights by force against
any first class power which happened
20 challenge them.
II Mr.. Wilson had meant what he
wrote 70 Germany on February 10,
1915. he would have sent message
at once 70 Congress, demanding an
immediate reorganization Of the
army and a vote Of S200,00O,000 or
$500, 100000, 10 be devoted TO in
creasing and equipping the navy.
Then Germany would have known
that we were in earnest about ex-
acting "a strict accountability"
But the President did not possess
either the political foresight or the