Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-02-06


Unless the United states makes distinctly hos
tile move against Germany. the diplomats of thu
wilheimstrasse have reason TO feel some satisfac
ton at their accomplishments. They have gained
n strong point in their new program Of starving
England cut" and they seem TO be in no particular
peril from the United States.
Germany has no reason TO take the offensive
against this country. Quite the contrary. On the
other hand she has several for her campaign
Of ruthessness AT sea- chief of which is the posi-
biliy Of isolating the British Isles that they will
be rtslBeed 10 the point Of famine.
Knowing, as all the world knows that America
Is striving 10 keep out of the hideous maestrom OF
war, Germany is deliberately testing forbearance
not merely to the limits Of friendly relations but
to the limits Of severed relations which have not YET
actually developed war; So il would seem from
most recent developments.
With our country on the very verge of entrance
into the conflict the United States government will
certainly take rigid measures to conserve food sup
plies. We have neither a large merchant marine to
Nrisk in hazardous running of the German sub
marine gauntlet, large number of naval vessels
in commission to patrol freighters carrying food sup
plies or munitions. There is also a tremendous
sentiment beginning to move in the United States
against continuance of the very heavy shipments
+
burdeniBg millions of Americans A few Americans
are getting fabulousIy wealthy off the wartrade and
q good many thousand workers are reapng the har,
vest of high wages, but the vast majority of the
American people are Suffering far more from high
living cost than they are benefting from indirect
war profits Several bills have been introduced at
this session of Congress calling for embargo on ship
ments Of foodstufs but they have had no chance of
passage because the athome sentiment has not been
strong enough. TO force drastic government action
of that sort.
Should the United States simply sever relations
with Germany, and no overt act follow ON either
side, II seems probable that the net result will be
hat Uncle Sam will greatly restrict food exports
g tle<Alies for the reasons already given That in
Itself will have been triumph for German dip.
lomafy
But we cannot conceive that d severance of rela-
tionf will long leave the two countries polite but in
acti<e enemies. The very nature of the German
Submarine campaign menaces American life at sea.
This has been conclusyely shown not only in Mr..
Wilson's notes but in the marine events that pre-
ceded and followed them 1t is certain we shall not
abide BY the German ultimatum Of zone ship a
week. Ii is certain that in the campaign OF ruth
Iessless some overt act will be committed BY Ger
many Some such incident as that of the killing
oi the Baltimore sailor Yesterday will touch Oft the
pow|ler
Once actually at war with Germany, the American
people win be in very different mood and the
American government in d very different position as
regards simplifying thc Allies The people will be
ready for far greater sacrifices than those imposed
BY high living cost they will assent to any measure
which viii assist the Allies to crush the German
military and naval organizations.
Then we can and shall organize the tremendous
stream Of food and munitions for Britain France
and Russia that will make their success certain
The present situation cannot endure. We doubt
II many AIhefirans wish it to endure. The temper
Of the American people now is to 60 through with
the Job But il is evident that President Wilson is
still hoping the weight of an aroused national sent
ineIt viii finally bring Germany to realization that
her ruthlessness campaign will not be borne He
hopes that Berlin will feel this sentiment as it gath
ers momentum and will yield before the point of
our active alliance with the Entente powers il
reached