New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-12
What 1t Means.

ia the real question which the presence
- German submarines in American waters
,aises No one should mistake the true
meaning of this German excursion into
American waters. No one should fail 70
,ealze that while the Germans have, up
To the present moment, scrupulously OBJ
served their contract with the United
States Government, the actual purpose OF
their latest venture is to emphasize their
ability to do harm TO American commerce
If American foreign policy leads to Ter
man-American conflict.
The simple truth is that beaten Ger
MANY now faces situation in which Its
sole chance Of escaping a deadly de1eat'
3 national disaster, lies In prolonglng lVs
defence and increasing the cost of the war
10 its enemies up to the point at which
these enemies will prefer to make peace
by arrangement rather than by pursu-
ance of the war to its logical end.
If Germany cannot tire out her enemies
before their superiority in men, In money
and resources brings them absolute victory,
then she stands to suffer as no nation has
suffered in modern history. The battle
on the field has been going against her
slowly but steadily for months. No Ger
man sympathizers now go beyond the claim
that Germany cannot be conquered. Inc
dreams of conquest and victorious peace"
have passed; Germany is now at last hight
inc for existence; to-day her back IS
against the wall.
In this situation the Germans believe
that one weapon which might contribute
70 multiplying the costs of the war to
the Allies, to Great Britain particularly
is the submarine. They believe, and it does
not matter whether they are right or
wrong in their belief, since it is a behef'
that If German submarines were able 70
sink all belligerent ships, without regard
70 possible neutral passengers, Britain
would be handicapped, crippled, brought to
consider peace on terms that Germany
would accept.
Accordingly, as every shred Of evidence
coming from Germany indicates, the Ger
ran people and powerful elements in Ger
man political circles demand that Germany
shall tear up her pledge to the United
States, withdraw it, regain her freedom
in the matter Of submarines and strike the
blow against Britain which they conceive
will be decisive.
Now, nothing is more idle than to sup
pose that nation in the situation in
which Germany finds herself and is to find
herself for the future will refrain from
using any possible weapon Of defence, ex-
cept through the belief that the use Of the
weapon will bring new dangers and dis
advantages quite outweighing the possible
profits. In word, unless the Germans
believe that return TO promiscuous sub
marining will mean war with the United
States, there Is no question as to their re-
turning to the practice.
And before returning TO the practice
they have treated the United States 10 an
object lesson in their capacity TO injure the
United States II the United States insists
upon It's submarine policy, even at the
risk Of war. This is what the visit of the
German undersea boats means, II It means
anything in this world 1t is precisely as
II the Germans had said that II the United
States insisted upon its submarine policy
they would sink American vessels and
carry destruction into American waters.
But they have not said this in words;
they have demonstrated It by unmistakable
proof.
When the German Government decides 10
change It's submarine policy, then Mr.. VII
ron will be faced with the question Of peace
or war. Then the American people will
have 10 decide whether they are prepared
20 fight 20 defend neutrals, American neu-
trails primarily, travelling upon belligerent
ships. II would be easy 10 decide for war
II war meant only declaration and Amer
lean commerce could hide behind Allied