The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1916-03-02
WAssssesoYost OFFICIALS NOW
WORRIED ~ oeRHANv's
: oUOAAARING PlANA
0eFEssE GUNS the ISSUE
AdMlslserstisa Aiss 10 osspiy Cen
essas6 Over Manner In Which csua-
Try WIN Receive the Terms eS sst.
tlssa0We of the lusitanla Case,
Oy GEORGE CLINTON.

ton fear that under new plans for sub
marine warfare proposed to BE- fol-
lowed By the central powers OF Eu-
rope. this country may become once
more Involved In dangerous diplomatic
negotiations. Word has come that It
Is the intention OF the central powers
to order that merchant and passenger
vessels belonging to belligerents shall
be sunk without warning In case they
carry guns even for defense purposes
The mounting of guns for purely de-
fense purposes has been recognized ~
the right Of merchant and passenger
ships. Of course it 10 also recognized
that II advance warning 10 given that
such vessels shall be sunk. the 70
sponsibility possibly may rest with
the nations which continue to arm
their passenger and merchant ships.
even II they are armed for defense
purposes. The main danger to the
United States. it is recognized. 10 that
IL the proposed plan is carried out.
some American vessel may be sunk
by mistake. and il this II done things
The administration just now 10
deeply concerned over the manner In
which tho country may receive the
term4of settlement of the Lusitania
case. Some Washington Onicials be.
iieve that on the answer to this ques-
tion will depend to considerable ex.
tent Mr.. Wilson's strength or weak
ness In the next campaign. In other
words. the manner Of the reception by
the country OF the terms of the Lusi-
tania settlement, may have its politi.
cal as well as its diplomatic signi-
ticauce.
Victory or Faiiuref
There is no more striking evidence
OF Low men can disagree utterly In
their opinions OF things than IL pre-
sented by this l.usitania AFFAIR. The
state department seemingly is entirely
satisfied that 1t has won complete
victory. There are officials in Wash.
ington. however, who say that the
terms of the l.usitania settlement pre-.
sent a picture of a complete failure Of
American diplomacy. There you are.
Take your choice.
Seemingly, Germany has admitted
now that 1t is counter to International
law for war vessel to sink an un.
armed merchant ship or a passenger
ship without making provision for the
safety of those on board. Germany
did not want to admit that the sink.
ing Of the Lusitania was illegal. and
so the word "unjustiliable." or one
meaning the same thing. has been en-
ployed to cover the case. Therefore.
according to the administration point
of view. the use of this word, or a
synonym. is entirely satisfactory pro-
vided it is not intended to limit the
activities of the word so that they will
cover only those vessels which have
neutral passengers on board. In 9th.
er words. the administration believes
the proper Interpretation of Germany's
position is that it Is unjustifiable and
has been unjustifable from the tirst to
sink merchant or passenger vessels
without providing for the safety of
crew and passengers. even If both are
composed entirely of citizens OF coun-
tries with which Germany is at war.
Washington knows the Lusitania
case is loaded with politics, while it
ought not to be loaded with anything
but nonpartisan diplomacy. Pol
itcians here agree that the political
campaign next summer partly will be
directed along ''Lusitania lines" OF
course it is recognized by the pol
iticians here that the extent to which
the case will figure in the campaign
depends largely upon the amount of
resentment, or Of satisfaction. which.
ever it may be. to be shown by the
country when 1t mas had time thor
Oughly TO comprehend the final terms
of settlement of this cause OF contro.
versy between the United States and
Germany.
Not a Partisan Issue.
Preparedness seems to cover with a
sort of cloak the interest in other mat.
ters of legislation. The situation in
regard to the feelings of members of
congress on the subject is just about
what it was. 1t is becoming more evil
dent day by day, however. that the
preparedness bill will be put through.
btt it will so to its passage apparent
lv aided by the votes of the Repub.
licans
1t has been apparent for some time
that preparedness is not partisan is
sue. Some of the leading Democrats
have been opposed to it from the very
start. but seemingly out Of regard for
the feelings of the administration such
OF the Democratic party leaders as are
opposed to preparation for defense
have refrained from making speeches
against 1t on the floor OF house and
senate. The debate, however, is going
on daily and it is said in Washington
that never before since the beginnings
OF this government lave there been so