Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 19??-1918, 1916-04-19

tainty OF gross and palpable VIOLA
tions OF the law OF nations. particu-
larly II submarine craft were to be
employed as Its instruments. mas
much as the rules prescribed by that
law. rules founded upon principles
OF humanity and established for tho
protection OF livos Of noncom batants
at sea. could not In the nature OF the
case be observed by such vessels. II
based Its protest upon the ground
that persons OF neutral natlonalitles
and vessels OF neutral ownership
would be exposed TO extreme risks
and that no right to close any part
OF the high seas against their use or
expose them to such risks could law
fully be asserted by any belligerent
government. The law OF nations In
these matters upon which the govern
ment OF the United States based its
protest Is not OF recent origin or
founded upon merely arbitrary prin-
eiples set up by convention.
1T is based. on the contrary. upon
manifest and imperative principles Of
humanity and has long been estab-
lished with the approval and by the
express assent OF all civilized ma
tions.
Notwithstanding the earnest pro-
test OF our government. the imperial
government at once proceeded to
carry out the policy II had an
nounced. II expressed the hope that
the dangers involved. at any rate the
dangers to neutral vessels. would be
reduced to a minimum by the In
structlons which II had Issued to Its
submarine commanders and assured
the government OF the United States
that II would take every possible pre-
caution both to respect the rights OF
neutrals and to safeguard the lives
OF nonoombatants.
What has actually happened In
the year which has since elapsed has
shown that those hopes were not JUS
titled. these assurances insusceptible
OF being fulfilled. In pursuance Of the
policy OF submarine warfare against
the commerce OF Its adversaries thus
announced and entered upon by the
imperial government In spite OF the
solemn protest OF this government.
the commanders OF German undersea
vessels have attacked merchant ships
with greater and greater activity, not
only upon the high sea surrounding
Great Britain and ireland. but wher-
ever they could encounter them. in
4 way that has grown more and more
ruthless. more and more indiscrim-
mate as the months have gone by.
less and less observant Of restraints
Of any kind; and have delivered their
attacks without compunction against
vessels OF every nationality and
bound upon every sort Of errand.
Vessels OF neutral ownership. even
vessels Of neutral ownership bound
from neutral port to neutral port,
have been destroyed along with ves-
sells Of belligerent ownership. Some
times the merchantmen attacked has
been warned and warned to surrend-
or before being fred upon or torpe-
tioed, sometimes passengers or crews
have been vouchsafed the poor secur-
Ity OF being allowed to take the ships
boats before she was sent to the bot
tom. But again and again no warn
Ing has been given, no escape even to
The ships boats allowed to those on
board.
what the government foresaw
would happen has happened Trag-
ady has followed tragedy on the seas
In such fashion, with such attendant
circumstances as TO make grossly EVIL
dent that warfare OF such sort, II
warfare II be, can not be carried on
without the most palpable violations
,f the dictates alike OF right and Of
humanity. Whatever The disposition
and intention OF the imperial German
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