The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-10-09
NEW ROLE FOR THE AMERICAN
NAVY

Americans Will read the stories OF
our naval vessels serving as tenders
to German submarine murder-craft,
plying their horrible vocation in
sight Of American shores, perhaps
within American territorial waters.
Yet this is no more than might
have been expected, in view Of the
policy that has persistently stretched
every consideration in favor Of the
Germans, and narrowed every con-
struction advantageous to the allies.
The United States did not protest
the invasion Of Belgium or the rape
Of Lille; It did not concern itself
about the murder Of Miss Cavell or
the assassination OF Captain Fryatt.
Those things were done by Ger
many. But the Senate passed a
resolution in effect condemning the
British government for the execu-
ton of. Sir Roger Easement; q
] purely domestic affair Of Britain. At
the wars beginning allied patrolling
warships were warned to keep COM
fortably away from our shores and
harbors, and they have observed the
caption; but a German submarine
airily drops into Newport. leaves her
mail, ducks out to inaugurate a
reign Of terror right at our doors,
and Is quite within the rights ac-
corded by our Government.
This country spent year and a
half writing notes about the Lusi-
tania murders, and has received only
worthless promises which are an
nounced as the greatest diplomatic
victory" But when the allied war
ships interfere with our sacred
mails, Congress writes into the
statutes a series of provisions that
if administered as they read would
put this country in the position of
being willing to 90 to war for its
mails and commerce, but unwilling
to fight for its murdered women
and babes.
Now that the fast destroyers of
our navy have found field Of use
fulness as tenders to the submarine
murderers, picking up their victims
and taking them into port 80 that
Germany may be saved from the en-
barrassment Of causing actual loss
Of life, it would seem only proper
that a naval order be issued requir-
ing our naval commanders, when
they find a new ships company
afoat in lifeboats, to fire a salute
to the German flag before starting
the work of rescue. It would not
take much time, and would be a
fitting recognition of the new func-
ton that our sea dogs have had i'm.
posed on them by the divinely.
directed policy of German Schreck.
lichkeit.
1t seems that there is going to be
!: delicate splitting Of hairs, now, in
the effort to prove that German sub.
marines have right to come to the
very gateways of America and
wreak destruction, if they will just
keep outside the three-mile limit
The German war zone "around the
British isles" is merely extended tc
} the rest of the waters Of the world
That is all; simple, logical, and just
about as definite as when Washing
; ton first submitted to that marvel
, Gus measure Of war. The offing Of
J every American port is part Of the
: German war zone around the Brit
= ish isles" now!
| Suppose that the Administration
= whose distinguished achievement il
} that 1t has "kept US out Of war" haC
been as keen about keeping US il
} possession of the real benefits O.
4 peace. Suppose that, when Ger
3 many by proclamation of a war zon
8 assumed to reserve the privilege o
: murder on the high sea, it had coun
t tered by proclaiming peace zone,
D and had said that submarines nigh
n not approach within such distance o
= the American coast as would max
: it possible for them, after submerg
: ing, to reach our three-mile limit. ]
= is manifest that this would be per
a fectly logical broadening of tn
y three-mile limit as applying to sui
: marines; for submarine, once sub
y merged, must be regarded as liabl
e to come up wherever it pleases with
J. in its submerged radius. If ths
J. radius is sufficient to bring 1t to ou
l. American territorial waters, tn
i limit might reasonably be extende
/. to make sure that this would nc
a hapnen. Certainly such n "naar