Der Deutsche correspondent. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1841-1918, 1916-02-23
ARMED MeI.onANrNIEN.

cIulHtHt 10 the various DeluSelGpl
nations, and the notification by the
Central Powers that they would sink
armed merchantmen without notice,
has developed a condition which Is
pregnant with many possibilities.
Let us look at it, first, from the
point of view of our own Govern
ment.
On Febr. 10 of last year, we sent
q now famous "strict accountability"
note to Germany Throughout the
long drawn negotiations which fol-
lowed the sinking OF the Lusitania
the question Of the place which sub
marines are entitled to in legitimate
naval warfare became very much
clarified 1t Is, of course, reasona-
BILE that the submarine Is entitled to
certain latitude. 1t is also quite
apparent that in case OF war our
Government must necessarily depend
to great extent upon the use OF
submarines in carrying on it's naval
warfare SO it was entirely logical
and reasonable that our Government
should take stand In relation to
the submarine question which would
enable us at some future date to
make use of this effective weapon
against merchantmen.
BY nature the submarine is sec
retive. II merchantmen are per-
mitted to be armed Il becomes inn
possible for submarines to appear
on the surface There is at once a
choice OF permitting sinking OF
merchantmen without warning or
else TO prevent the arming OF mer-
chantmen.
Recently Mr.. Abeles wrote in con-
nection with this subject TO Con-
gressmen, asking for an expression
OF opinion as to the advisability Of
warning American passengers from
belligerent vessels carrying ammu-
milton. There were some 1870 fav-
orahle responses. Had this request
been made in favor of permitting
submarines to sink armed merchant
men, we believe that at least a fair
majority would have expressed an
Affirmative conviction upon the qucs-
ton II is quite apparently to our
interests to take this point OF view,
and the public generally seem to lead
towards this viewpoint
AS far as Germany is concerned
the Imperial Government took inn
mediate advantage OF the memoran-
dunn Of Secretary OF State Lansing
upon this question of arming mer-
chantmen TO issue q proclamation TO
make war upon them. IL Is not neces-
sary TO recite the arguments which
have impelled Germany to take this
step. The most that can be said
against il was said by The Even
ing Post when IL referred TO the proc
lamation as inopportune and ill-
timed, with the increasing facilities
Of German ship-yards to turn out
submarines. IL Is quite evident
that this new submarine campaign
will produce very quick results. We
must be prepared TO face the crisis
which will arise with the sinking OF
the first armed liner. Our Govern
ment has as yet avoided placing IT,
self upon record as to the probable
course advance Of the fact Germany
is looking for its opportunity to use
submarines. II should have that
opportunity. Great Britain has
maintained that DEFENSE against
submarine warfare mas been worked
out. The matter IS about 70 be
brought TO test.
1t is equally clear that the inter-
ests Of Great Britain demand dis
continuation OF submarine warfare
against merchantmen armed, or IN
armed. During the past year the
defense which they have worked out
has had some success, but the at
titude OF the Government Of the
United States has been the CHIEF de-
terrent TO the development or sub
marine campaign. Great Britain
viii use It's entire influence IN order
to emoroil us IN the war It's last
chance is now at nand II German
submarines can operate against
armed liners, It seems diiilcult to
foresee condition which can bring
us into conflict with Germany.
The American pubic has grown TO
believe that we are 70 pc Kept per
manently OUT 81 this war. inns
feeling IS the chief political asset q
woodrow wilson. Ihe spirit Or fair
play which, at tne pest OF Things,
determines pubic opinion IN thls
country, IN the long run leans To-
wards giving Germany an anporLun-
lty 70 develop It's submarine WARFARE