New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-02
The Record


what chance there was of acquiescence on
The part Of the United States in that
policy of piracy and murder 1t knew
what we had said in diplomatic notes land
the words were always brave enough and
how far we had fallen short Of making our
words good.
But it must also have realized that we
could not go on forever pledging undyng
constancy 10 claims and then abating them.
Our many recessions under German press
urc from the letter and spirit Of our de
mands, our many acceptances Of much less
than we had set out to exact as a Spokes-
man for humanity, as a defender Of our
own rights on the high seas and as a cham
rion Of the rights Of neuhals generally,
had gotten more and more on the nerves Of
the country. There must be a residuum of
sclf-respect even in a government or u ma
lion which is willing TO sacrifice much in
the way of consistency, dignity and prin-
ciple for the sake of keeping the peace.
The German Government must have
known that there were certain humilia-
lions which the United States would not
submit to-that there were certain pledges
Of future conduct on our part which our
government could not afford to waive.
There is an ultimate American position
with regard to the free use of the seas
under the sanctions of international law
which cannot be abandoned, however ar
rogant the threat of the lawbreaker who
wants 70 make us abandon it.
Nothing but calculated contempt for
our military power-a complete indiffer-
ence whether we accepted her challenge to
war CT not-could have influenced Ger
many to cancel so abruptly her promises,
made TO us after the Arabic and Sussex
Incidents, 10 conduct submarine warfare
with some pretence of regard for the re-
strictions Of international law She was
aware that we could not accept their can
collation. with a shrug of the shoulders.
We had travelled the backward road too
far. Our stock of amiable accommoda-
ton was exhausted. There was point
and the United States had reached it
where the very case which it had built up.
compelled it TO face about and fight.
There is a moral compulsion in the posi-
tion 90 which we have committed ourselves
in the eyes Of the world that we cannot
now escape. We have constructed record
of protest against Germany's lawless
methods Of submarine warfare which we
cannot now run away from without sub
iecting ourselves 10 the scorn of history.
What is that record?
When the "war zone" proclamation Of
February a, 1915, was issued by the Ger
man Admiralty and notice was given that
German submarines would thereafter de-
>troy merchantmen without warning or
search our government unequivocally chal-
lcnged Gernany's right to make warfare
Of that sort. It said on February 10, 1915:
"If the commanders Of German vessels
or war . should destroy on the
high seas an American vessel or the lives
Of American citizens. it would be difficult
FOR the Government Of the United States
10 view the act in any other light than
an indefensible violation Of neutral
ghts which it would be hard TO recon
clio with the friendly relations now so
happily subsisting between the two gov
crnments. If such a deplorable situa-
ton should arise, the German Govern
mcnt can readily appreciate that the
Government Of the United States would
be constrained TO hold the Imperial Gov
eminent 20 a strict accountability for
such acts Of their naval authorities and
TO take any step it might be necessary
70 take 10 safeguard American lives and
property and to secure 10 American Cit
zons the full enjoyment Of their acknowl-
edged rights on the high seas
This was tho simplest and strongest
tatement made Of the American position.
b. was not lived up 10; yet IL has never
hcen modified or withdrawn. The Ger
mans did take the lives Of American citi-
zcrr. The Lusitaria Massacre was pre-
I.lcl ~ wei - lOH'"fu ny Vsh'I HuI-
ders Of Americans. No strict accountable
ty for those crimes was enacted Yet in
ail the correspondence with Germany fol
lowing the sinking Of the LUsitania and
down 10 the sinking Of the Sussex. the
Protest Of February 10 was continually
uaraphrased and elaborated. Il still binds
g in 80 far ~ any urresciudcd public
declaration Of policy can bind us.
After tbc Arabic was sunk Germany
,ate % her promise 70 refrain from AT
tacLing liner without notice and warning
,ul this proroIee VAS not kept And hen
tbe Sussex ease 81 plain care n violation