Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-02-28
Germany Mt War With Us"

M EARLY two weeks ago there was issued
from Berlin rea frmaton OF the Ger
man submarine policy. which this newspaper
then pronounced, in effect if not in terms a
declaration of war against the United States
ana The neutral world. 1T is once more OK
nressly declared" said this official statement
mat unrestricted warfare against all navi-
Eaticn III the announced barred zones is now
gong on completely and shall under no
circumstances be limited"
That announcement followed a series OF
ac'ions with the spirit OF which it was i'm full
accord The lousatonic and the Law already
had been sunk our ambassador at Berlin
mad been detained and subjected to many in
dlgnitics; there had been a breach of faith
III the matter Of the larrowdale prisoners:
Germany. II appeared. was doing her best to
shatter that invetcrate confidence" which
resident Wilson had said he entertained
FURTHER belief in German purpose To regard
the rights or spare the lives OF our seamrn
ana our people in the prosecution of their
peaceful and legitimate crrands on the high
seas seemed impossible. and we said:
aa TlmsN rs ' n%.%, ac c1 misnt no, he
Junction oic with ano Mnr ~" and !" w mGn
he @Nnress ana solemn declaration 81
ne,he@ aaabt nor " @hS;e '"ev I'VE ,es are
5;ernanN Wi NJ var Eet w,b perhaps , hn,
Sun"r also may strike.
Germany now has justified every word then
written. The destruction of the Iaconia
with the loss OF al least two American lives
: inc overt act so long awaited and which
every sensible man expected Indeed the
one mitigation Of Gcrmany's latest policy of
irli iiiuness--.if there can be any mitigation
is that it was proclaimed with brutal
frankncss TO tho world
Not even tho destruction of Tho Iusi,ania
oVcrmatched in cold-blooded and calculating
airocliy the blow which sent The l.aconia To
the bottom ana set her burden OF human life
adr!ft on an angry sea. The attack came
without warning. in the darkness of tho night
The Two American women who died sue
cumbcd TO shock and exposure That the
number of victims was not Increased far he.
yond the limits Of present reports was due
to the gailantry and discipline Of the
Cunardcr's officers and crew. and not TO any
regard tor neutrals' safety. nor TO any in
sl'nct OF mercy ar humanity, which the com
mandor OF the submarine displayed
This incident should end Republican and
paciiuSt reluctance TO confer on the President
thc powers he has asked Those limited
powers, indeed, are incommensuratc with the
present need 1t is not possible that VIC shall
endure further assaults on our SOVEREIGNTY
further defiance OF our solemn and repcatcd
warnings, or that We shall invite. by cowardly
failure to meet the issue. new murders of orr
dcicnsclcss citizens.
There is not ono act in Woodrow Wilson'S
pubic life which casts doubt on his right,
which his great office confcrs. To lead his
people through thi. crisis. What he asks
no' Is but a drop in The bucket OF that larger
authority which soon must he cunfjded to
MN Tor 'Gcrmauy IS NJ with us and
III /" niue while We must redress the balance
so thai We who suffer also may strike
tn suggesting that New York CITY huv food
ana sell II to individuals. Mayor Mitchell pro-
poses practical sort of socialism, withou,
ANY OF its anarchis; features