Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-05-06
FOR GERMANY TO DECIDE.

. O0tfageS as the SINKING OF the IuslIdnld, What
satisfaction can the United States derive from
her answers to our demands9
The German profession of good faith is elo-
. quent, it is persistent, it is plausible. But
. what does it mean if German submarine com
handlers are to be allowed to make mistakes
such as that of the SUSSEX
Neutral authorities have said for months that
. Germany cannot possibly carry on her sub
marine warfare within international law. For
International law demands that beligerent
must safeguard the lives of non-combatants on
merchant vessels attacked and destroyed and
submarines cannot succor the passengers and
frews of the big ships. 1t is impossible.
Therefore when submarine attacks a British
Vessel under instructions from the German
navy, the best it can do is to allow the passen-
eefs to take to open boats often more than a
Kindred miles from land, in all kinds of
Heather
Furthermore, since the Allies have been arm
'ng their merchant vessels the commander of
German submarine does not know whether
The steamer he approaches will or will not open
IRE on him. In most cases he will take no
ehances, but launch his torpedo without ascer-
aiming whether his intended victim is an
|fmed merchantmen or one perfectly in
o'fensive
The German note itself recognizes the i'm
feasibility of pledging entire observance of in
Irrational law. Yet Germany appears to ex-
|tct that If her submarine campaign cannot
he carried on lawfully, neutrals should stand
side while it is being carried on unlawfully.
That Germany is in q truly terrible situation
II fair-minded persons must admit. The Allies
IRE cirpling her by land and sea with ring of
tel through which supplies cannot trickle.
. spite Of the confident assertions Won Beth
.1nn- Hollweg made in the Reichstag a few
.|tks ago, the food situation in Germany is
.0inous and it is growing worse. The May
/y disorders prove that And while Germany
cnt off from the food, the munitions, the
.1micais, the raw material of the outside
.orld, thousands of steamers are entering and
|1<ing the ports of the British Isles each week.
With what deep seated anger Germany must
e this spectacle Americans can appreciate.
.t Germany s situation does not justify the
.Ihless SCATTERING of international law at the
><pense of neutral life and property.
So long as Germany's undersea campaign
.f'ected only Germany's enemies; so long as
.|e confined her efforts at sea to the destruc-
''on Of Allied commerce and lives, and those
lone, Americans had no cause to threaten a
|Ie6k Of relations But in the nature of that
.01ersea campaign and in the nature of the
.trlnan situation, the war conld not be con-
med to the Allies. Economically, it was gain
he Germany little, for the British were too
.'rong on the sea. Hence both because Ger
many must resort to s'frightfulness" and be-
1anse it is absolutely impossible to pick and
moose in submarine activity the raids began
|n neutral lives and neutral property.
That is where the United States is vitality,
Inevitably, tremendously concerned.
That is where every American must echo the
|emand of his government that neutral life at
lea shall be protected.
That is where every American must stand up
&c his country s rights.
That is where every American must stand
|I the president who says to Germany "You
>annot continue this course and maintain
|r;endly relations with us. 1t is for You to-
1ecide. .
Germany knows now that the United States
win not accept what Germany chooses to do
0nder the name of military necessity We
% not recognize the sinking of Lusitania as
Military necessity.