The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-11-20
COMPLICATED INTERNATIONAL
SITUATION FACES PRESIDENT
SUBMARINE QUESTION
THE MOST SERIOUS
Trade Restrictions of Allies
Another Delicate roblem
Other Matters.

WASHINGTON. Nov. 19-A porten-
1lous and complicated international
situation now faces President Wilson
and for the next few weeks will en-
gage his attention and that Of his adj
visers to the practical exclusion Of
all but the most urgent of domestic
subjects.
LII the last days Of the campaign,
Secretary OF State Lansing frequently
spoke Of the necessity Of postponnS
action on the more delicate 1ntcrna-
tionl questions because the uncer-
tainty of the outcome Of the political
contest had a direct bearing on the
success or failure of some OF the ali
ministration policies.
From now on the President expects
to deal with all foreign questions with
out embarrassment and he is receiving
from his advisers a summary OF the
outstanding issues so essential TO tax
ing stock OF the basic situation which
must be met now that International
relations have returned to their place
Of prime importance. While it Is not
evident that there will be any funda-
mental change in policy, freedom from
fear that any move at all would be
miSinterpreted as inspired by an :u-
rernal political struggle has been re-
moved. President Wilson and Secre.
.ary Lansing feal themselves able TO
act. with single eye 10 the lnterna-
iional situation and their Immediate
conferences on the Presidents return
10 WASHINGTON indicate how pressing
they feel the situation 10 he.
The President must decide how the
United States shall meet the German
~, hn Il
and the EnteUte Allied trade rcS.r;C-
tionS on the other. whether the retail
iatory legislation snail be enforced.
whether the traditional theory or iSola-
tion shall he abandoned for concerted
neutral action. and whether the coun-
try shalt have an aggressive or a pas
sive policy toward tue peace confer
ence, the war after the war. and JhN
permanent league TO enforce peace
which the President has accepted in
theory. And. during the rest OF the
war. Shai, Amerlcau$ : altitude be GOV
erned by decided b"nrvOlence in THO
Interpretation Of international law nc
cordin@ 20 its own best interests. or
shall it be- strictly legali*tic. regard
less OF whom it affects.
The Submarine Situation
Most spectacular and diSquietinS Of
the problems is the submarine SituI-
ton with Germany. Five critical cases
are pending. one involving a loss OF
six American lives. two others involv-
ing American ships. Increasingly ser
iouS is the fast growing conviction
that any kind Of general submarine
warfare. even II complying with the in
adequate rules as TO giving warning
and aftnrdinC some measure OF Safs;:'
= n -
Germany * known to be- building
submarines rapidly. and there is the
possibility: of 4 starvation campaign
against England. Its effects would con.
Germ all nations. Til" United States
might find it difficult 10 avoid compli-
cations.
The American attitude is flat and
final. No iechncalitteS will be adj
mitted Ships must not De sunk with
out warming or without provision for
the Safety Of tie passengers facing
high seas OF distance from shore. The
armed ship issue undoubtedly will be
advanced by Germany. but will not be
accepted. Secretary Lansing foreSaw'
it las March when. without announC-
ing his reason. he urcrneG thar mer-
chant vessels could carry Il small de-
ienive gun. II that eudangers Subma-
rineS. that is part OF their weakness.
The United States. anxious as Il pacific
nation. opposed TO armament 10 in
crease the power Of submarines. recog'
niZes their shortcomings. especially in
their vulncrabiltr if surprised and at
tackled.
Rests With Germany.
The future of the submarine Situa-
ton is felt 70 rest entirely with Cor
many. With the American attitude
known. the next step must come from
Berlin Two possibilities are feared.
either that Germany will decide she
can starve England by an under-Sea
campaign or that she may endeayor 10
involve this country and thus insure
the participation in peace conferences
Continued on Page Ten.)