New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-11
What 1t Meant.

case seemed settled. one OF our neighoorS
burst into q rhapsody o. praise o. Hr.
wilson because. without mob.liznG regi-
ment or moviuc a warshir he had "on
great moral victory over nation n arms.
Very sooa after there was submarine
affair again. Less than two weeks ago
there was the same acclaim over the
Austrian Ancona Note and within twenty
four hours came the Persia tragedy. Even
while Austrian statesmen were drafting
the Ancona Note Austrian naval officers
were sinking a French and japanese
passenger ship without notice.
We are now asked 10 believe that the
latest German Note represents victory
for NJ. Wilson's foreign policy and a
triumph for American diplomacy. But
does Il? If Mr.. Wilson's policy had been
honestly intended as policy to keep us
out of the Greet War At a. costs and II
the German Note means what It says. or
what it appears now to say. then concely-
ably Mr.. Wilson's policy would now be sue
cessful: certainly it must seem SO TO those
who believe the main thing IS 70 keep out
Of the war. But what an idle ridiculous.
dangerous thing it is 20 claim for this
policy that II has indicated neutral rights
that il has defended American rights. that
il has contributed 10 the maintenance OF
international law!
The fact is that if Germany has decided
to abandon The practice 81 submarine pi-
racv she has reached this decision for rea-
sons of her own. We know now that she
consented to give the promises contained
In the Arabic agreement because the Brit
ish navy had made the submarine opera
tons too perilous to continue in the North
Sea and in British waters. German news
papers and leaders had told the German
people that the submarine blockade was
bringing Britain to her knees In point
Of fact this was ridiculous, but it was
necessary 70 give the German people an
excuse and our verbal protests supplied
pretext.
Yet we had made our first protest on
February 10. when the blockade was an
nounced; we had continued them in May,
when the Lusitania was sunk, and it was
only in September and October. when the
campaign against Great Britain had col
lapsed. that Germany needed these pro-
tests and for reasons no longer doubtful.
A little later it became profitable from
military standpoint TO renew submarine
operations I'm .he Mediterranean. and we
\ promptly had the Ancona. the Persia and
d other cases where American citizens were
not on board hut passenger ships were
sunk without warning. This campaign
is conducted under the Austrian flag, but
there is every reason TO believe that some
of the boats arc German and TO recognize
in the operation the German handiwork.
Now we have a German communication
which gives all possible cngagements for
German good behavior in the Nediterra-
mean. but we lack an Austrian pledge that
is not negatived by deed; for even if there
were doubt as to the Persio the sinking
Of the Vile de la Ciotat was without warn
ing and without concern as TO the posi-
bility of there being on this French ship
an American citizen.
Conceivably the Allies will presently find
n wav to deal with the submarine peril In
tho Mediterranean as they did in the At
lantic; il will take time, but it is not i'm
possjble. Then Austria viii need an ex-
cuse to her people and will promise TO
cease the operation she can no longer de-
rive profit from But will this be vindi-
cation Of humanity, Of American rights, of
international law?
Or let US suppose that Germany has At
asst taken counsel with herself and decided
here is greater profit for her in meeting
orr claims. since she cannot submarine IN
he Atlantic TO profit and the Mediterra-
mean operation can be only temporary. BY
way Of balance, she may expect TO per-
suade Mr. Wilson. having received moral
victory at German hands, TO push his pro
tests against Great Britain. VIII that rep
resent a vindcation Of international law?
The Tribune does not quarrel with those
who believing that the most important
thing of all is that the United States
should he kept out of this war, praise Mr..
Wilson's diplomacy because IT has accom-
plished this. If we are kept out Of the war
il is fair 70 give him full praise for tins.
But It ouarrels with those who allege that
he is to be praised both for defending
American rights and avoiding war. He
has not defended American rights or in
ternational law. He has done nothing but
write notes about these things and wait
70 see if the Germans and the AustrianS
might not. for some reason of their own
Give up their murderous practices.
Our fathers who saved the Union and
secl:shed slavery did not do it by words
our ancestors who freed this country from
British rule did not free it by words. They
ia not and they could not obtain liberty or