Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-10-14
Questions i,aised by subn,uripc Raid

a LriiOUGii Investigation seems to have
Settled definitely that the commander of
the 10" kept the le'tc" of Germany's promise
to this government, iii giving warning be-
iore II" attacked nnd in allowing time for
passengers ANA crews 10 take to boats. the
recent activities OF the submarine i'm waters
contagious To our coast give ri9e to several
difficult questions.
While they add no strength to the cont,.l-
iioh %, the allies that submarines are not
entitled to the same rights in neutral waters
as are conceded to other merchant and war
ships, as has been plainly stated by this gov
"rhMent they do serve to stress what NAV
Ncll BE- considered Il threat of the allies
couchrd in the form OF n friendly warning
me JOINT note OF the allies called attention
10 the clihcuity OF determining the nation
atty nj submarine and virtually gave warn
lhE th"t American submarines might be men
acct NY allied warships In reply TO this
warming. the government made the one an
sw"r that met tho situation: it notified the
allies that il was the duty to determine the
nationality of suspected ship before ven
turing an attack
ThS point then. is settled. All bellig-
crcnts are nut on notice that however diff
iicuil it may he. they must be sure they are
right before they attempt to go ahead But
grave question arises as to what NAV fairly
be considered such place of safety" as will
meet the requirements OF international law
ana humanity. AS has been said the Ger
man commander technically met these re-
Guirements when he allowed the time neces-
Sary to take To ships boats. II may be
doubted. however, if an open boat many miles
from land is II place OF safety" within the
meaning. or at least the intent OF the law
lhai it is not. except under such circum-
stances as attended the sinking of the ships
OF Nantucket, is morally clear, if not tech
nically.
Granting the legality of the U-53's actions
under the present rules of international law.
the possibilities Of Il general cumpaign of
IKE character are so fraught with conse-
4H"nces that speculation must grow as to
no" lar such IA campaign would be coun-
'c"ahced by this country. If carried to such
an extent as was at time feared when
it was believed the U-53 and her consorts
were waiting In these waters for other prey
II would amount to a blockade of American
ports. Would that policy he tolerated? If
not. how might it he abated consistently with
TINS countrys insistence that recognized rules
"l international law may not be altered by
one affected party? These two questions suf
Acc to show the gravity OF tho situation or
OF IT'S possible developments
One thigh official is quoted as having
expressed the opinion that the Unprecedented
situation involves questions which can he
considered only i'll an cXtra-legal light n
'hal Is the only way out OF what may become
an intoierablc condition. international rela
lions are certain to become still more
strained. The hope of tho country should be
mat developments will not make nccess,rv
any consideration in an eytra-leyal ughf
Mehhwhlc the government is doing all that
cNpcdlchcy suggests. in preparing an ex
tended naval patrol TO protect American ter
rttoriai waters and to prevent tho establish
Wehl Oh s"crc; bases and communication
stations.