The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-04-20

lives on ships thus attacked and de-
stroyed has grown month by month until
the ominous toll has mounted into the
hundreds.
"One of the latest and most shocking
instances of this method OF warfare was
I that of the destruction of the French
cross channel steamer Sussex 1t must
stand forth, as the sinking of the steam
er Lusitania did. as so singularly tragi-
cal and uniustifiable as to constitute a
truly terrible example of the inhuman-
ity of submarine warfare as the com
manders Of German vessels have for the
past II months been conducting it.
III this instance stood alone, some ex-
PLANTATION, some disayowal by the Ger
man government, some evidence Of Grim
nal mistake or wlful disobedience on
the part OF the commander of the vessel
that fired the torpedo. might be sought
or entertained. But, unhappily, it does
not stand alone.
Recent events make the conclusion in
eyitable that it is only one instance, even
though il be one OF the most extreme and
distressing instances, of the spirit and
method of warfare which the imperial
German government has mistakenly
adopted, and which from the first ex
posed that government to the reproaeh |
of thrusting all neutral rights aside in
pursuit of its immediate objects.
"The government of the United States !
has been very patient At every stage Of /
this distressing experience of tragedy |
after tragedy in which its own citizens
were involved il has sought to be re-
ind ire
ton Or of protest by thoughtful con
sderation Of the extraordinary eireum
stances Of this unprecedented war, and
actuated in all that it said or did by the
sentiments of genuine friendship which
the people of the United States have al
ways entertained and continue to enter
tain toward the German nation.
1T has, of course, accepted the sue
eessive explanations and assurances of
the imperial German government as Civ
IN in entire sincerity and good faith,
md has hoped. even against hope, that
{ would prove TO be possible for the Ger
nan government go to order and control
he acts of its naval commanders as to
quare its policy with the principles Of
as embodied in the law of ma
ions. II has been willing to wait until
he significance OF the facts became abb
olutely unmistakable and susceptible OF
'ut one Interpretation.
THAT point has now unhappilv been
cached. The facts are susceptible OF
mt one Interpretation. The imperial
icrman government has been unable to
Mt any limits or restraints upon its
-arfare against either freight or passen-
er ships 1t has therefore become pain
ully evident that the position which this
overnment took al the very outset Is
Inevitable, namely, that the use 81 sub.
larines for the destruction Of an en-
my's commerce is Of necessity. because
{ the very character Of the vessels en-
loved and the very methods ~ attack.
hch their employment Of course in
Dives Incompatible with the principles
humanity. the long established and IN
rights Of neutals. and the
tered immunities Of non -comb8tsnts
u have deemed Il my duty. therefore
say TO the imperial German govern
ent that If &c Is still its purpose e.
-osecute relentless and indiscriminate
arfare against vessels Of commerce by