New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-29
THE FREEDOM OF THE SEAS
A Conception from Which Germany Would
Materially Benefit
To tho Editor OF The Tribune.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: From a reading Of your editorial IN
to-days paper il would seem that both your
own and "Thc Posts interpretations OF the
Presidents speech show him TO be pro-uer-
man and anti-Ally. IL seems TO me that there
is little real difference in the Interpretations
as "The Post" (reading entirely from your
editorial contends tho meaning OF the Presi-
dent in his phrase freedom Of the seas 10
be that private property was to be Invloiate
and that only such articles as were declared
contraband were 10 be subjected to seizure
By the enemy.
Your own reading goes just little fur
Their. but presents no real basic difference OF
opinion, rs your only addition to "ihe POSTS
Interpretation seems to be that the President
would abrogate the right OF visit and search,
but would still leave contraband illegal and
at the mercy of an enemy ship.
II this reading is correct, how can there be
any contraband at all, since there is to be no
visit or search for il? II the British navy,
for instance, is forbidden TO search ship for
contraband, what is to prevent that ship from
leading up with foods and munitions for the
enemy? Again, " your reading were correct
and the proposal we're now complete and in
operation, what could prevent the Vaterland
and the rest Of the German ships from filling
up with war material and sereney sailing
away for home? The ships are private prop
erty-i. c., they are not owned by the Ger
man government--and 80 would be exempt
/ from either capture molestation by the
Allied fleet.
Such situation would prolong the war
indefinitely, although ! do not think that II
would mean German victory, as ! believe
that TO be a natural impossibility, contrary
to all practices of nature and all experiences
Of history.
No, sir. ! think the President himself Is
/ ignorant OF the real meaning OF the phrase
which could only have come from a German
adberent in the council. II was first used by
Hollweg in the Reichstag in defence of the
use of U-boats as commerce destroyers, and
can only mean freedom to further continue
numbering and robbing on the high seas.
! would make a suggestion, however, to the
President which might possibly be of help to
him in his next speech. It is this: To OBJ
tain freedom Of the seas let it be understood
and agreed that all trade between neutral and
combatant be contrabsnd II a combstant
wishes the goods OF a neutral he must trans
port them in his own ships, and every shin
clearing for or entering an enemy port is to
be treated as an enemy ship. This would
snve neutrsls from exposure 10 capture or
danger, as their clearance papers would show
/ their destination and procure them immu-
nifty.
AS 10 the Presidents other notable phrase
peace without victory" can only find one
analogy for it. That is also a saying of Mr.
Wilson, "too proud to fight The meaning
is the same-fear of consequences Mr.. Will
son cannot seriously think his recommends
tion is either right or moral, as it is in itself
contradiction in terms, for there can be No
Teace without a victory. Is Mr.. Wilson al
peace within himself? | mean in his attitude
to life. II he is it is as a result OF a victory
ever conditions of lfe-over life itself. Peace
can only come out of victory, and the sooner
a man or nation realizes that fact (Which is
| Fundamentally the sooner will he be at peace
for the realization is a spur to effort that cul-
inmates in victory. P. J. LOGAN.
| New York, Jan %, 1917.
The Tribune did not assume to say what
was in President Wilson's mind when he
talked about the freedom of the seas. We
simply tried to show that what "The Post
said was in his mind did not harmonic
with the larger Implications of his Ian.