The Detroit times., 1917-03-12
- = Now Out Of the
~ 1enf's Hand; Placed
With Steamship Companies

4 Inc pkeSloSnt VI TIC Sniecu CeoS~"
rocsntly inaugurated for a second term
hscause he KEPT us OUT OF THE
WAR. has served notice upon US that
the matter Of war is now out Of his
hands.
II Is I'D to Germany, to which coun-
Try President Wilson has passed the
buck, to save Us.
SO, just how much nearer war are we
with the matter of our fate resting with
the country whose kaiser Is mad and
whose bloodthirsty leaders are despe-
ratei
Just how much nearer war are we IN
view of the fact that the country hold
ing our fate at its viii was caught plot
ting secretly for war upon US?
President Wilson, in serving notice
upon us that the matter of responsible
ity for war has passed from his hands
70 Germany, evidences. as his own an
swer to our question, that we are but
the sailing of ship away from hostili-
ties and embodiment in a slaughterfest
that is the shame of the civilized world
The president has authorized the in
discriminate arming Of American ships.
That means that wheat, from which
~ make -four and bread, and potatoes.
snd other foodstuffs win continue to be
suported, and that armed protection
yin be supplied by the government.
He has provided the ships with guns
md gunners.
The gums viii be placed with the OBJ
jsct Of shooting.
The gunnes win go along to aim these
guns at what they viii shoot at.
The sight of periscope viii be the
signal to shoot, because il 1t were not
the intention to shoot at a periscope on
sieht, this indiscriminate arming Of
ships and providing them indiscrimi-
natsly with gunners would be useless.
VIII Germany condescend to hide her
psrisccpes from our armed merchant
msnf
Here's hoping, but we are fearful.
We would feel much easier If the
nntter Of war were still in the presi-
1nnf's hands.
~ took good care Of it.
Dsttsr care Of it, we would say, than
Germany win take, and better care Of it
1Aon the ships he 10 arming can be ex-
poeted TO take.
Their idea in wanting guns and gun
nsrs, Of course. is business, the rates and
prc1ts.
Their schedules probably viii not per-
NIT of the steamship companies losing
much time over the matter Of avoiding
war.
For an idea Of just how much nearer
We have been placed by the indiscrimi-
nate arming Of merchantmen. we might
take the opinion of Washington as to
Just how much moment will attach to
the sailing Of one of these ships.
Following Immediately upon the or
dr. Of the president providing for armed
nAerchantmen generally, Secretary of
the Navy Daniels issued an appeal to
American newspapers to suppress the
Publishing of information concerning
the movements of American ships.
This appeal by the secretary would
indicate that Washington is advised
that Germany il keeping close watch on
cur ships, and there is nothing very
cheerful about the situation, unless Ger
many Is watching our ships with the
idea Of keeping out Of shooting distance
Of their gums.
Inasmuch as advices from Germany
are that the ships are being watched
with an altogether different object, the
situation is just about what you would
call cherries.
It Is cherries enough in the spectacle
Of shooting a way across the ocean for
wheat, with bread at IL cents loaf, and
for potatoes that are selling at 81 a
bushel because the supply in this coun-
try is insufficient TO supply the home de-
mand.
It is indeed cherries TO think that we
are taking steps 10 invite war that will
embroil i00,000,000 people for the pur-
pose of keeping up the price Of food stuffs
A. AZ - 1880 4 IN Onn 0on -