The Detroit times., 1917-03-12
War II Now Out of the
Presidents Hand; Placed
With Steamship Companies

recently inaugurated for a second term
because 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 up 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-
rate?
Just how much nearer war are we in
view of the fact that the country hold
ing our fate at its will 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
TO Germany, evidences. as his own an
swer TO our question that we are but
the sailing of ship away from hostil-
ties and embodiment in slaughterfest
that is the shame Of the civilized world.
The president has authorized the In
discriminate arrning of American ships.
That means that wheat, from which
we make -four and bread, and potatoes,
and other foodstuffs will continue 10 be
exported, and that armed protection
viii be supplied by the government.
He has provided the ships with guns
and gunners.
The guns will be placed with the OBJ
ject of shooting.
The gunners will go along to aim these
guns at what they will shoot at.
The sight of periscope will be the
signal TO shoot, because if it were not
the intention to shoot at a periscope on
sight, this indiscriminate arming Of
ships and providing them indiscrimi-
nateIy with gunners would be useless.
VIII Germany condescend to hide her
periscopes from our armed merchant
men?
Here's hoping, but we are fearful.
We would feel much easier if the /
matter of war were still in the presi- |
dents hands.
He took good care of it.
Better care Of it, we would say, than
Germany viii take, and better care of it |
than the ships he is arming can be ex-
pected to take
Their idea in wanting guns and gun
ners, of course, is business, the rates and
profits.
Their schedules probably will not per-
init 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 10
just how much moment will attach to
the sailing of one of these ships
Following Immediately upon the or
der Of the president providing for armed
merchantmen 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 is keeping close watch on
our 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 guns.
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.
Il is cherries enough in the spectacle
of shooting a way across the ocean for
wheat, with bread at IL cents a loaf, and
for potatoes that are selling at 81 a
busheI because the supply in this coun-
try is insufficient TO supply the home de-
mand
II is indeed cherries to think that we
are taking steps 10 invite war that will
embroil 100,00O00O people for the pur-
pose of keeping up the price of food stuff,
To the same 100, 000, 900 people.