The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1917-02-15
JUST WHAT 1T MEANS

There seems to be some question, il
the minds of some, as to what tn
new German submarine declaration
means.
1t means that American ships, carry
ing either freight or passengers, shall
traverse the seas, long recognized a
the commercial highway of the world
only where Germany permits, unde
terms and conditions set forth by tina
government and then they must b.
marked and designated in a way ant
manner prescribed by that power, ant
if any of the prescriptions and rule:
as laid down by Germany are ne
elected or violated, Germany reserve:
the right to blow them hellwards will
bombs from aeroplanes or skyward,
with torpedoes from submarines with
out notice or warning and without any
provisions being made for the safet,
of crew or passengers. 1t means just
that, nothing more, nothing less.
The reason of this most extraordi,
nary PRONUNCIATION in direct conflict
with previous treaties, long establish
ed international law, all recognized
rules of civilized warfare and dictates
of humanity, is given, by the Imperial
government, is that the enemy might
benefit, either directly or indirectly
by oceanic traffic.
It~would be no of an arrogant as
assumption of authority if the Imperial
government would issue an ukase pro-
hibiting in this country the birth and
rearing of men-children lest they grow
up and enlist in the ranks of it's en-.
emies, or of women-children for fear
that they might become mothers OF
warriors; the growing of food stuffs
lest some of it so grown might pos
Sibly feed its foes, or command that
Americans must not cross the boul-
Diary lines of any other nation except
prescribed by the Imperial government
and when so journeying he must array
himself in blue coat, red and whit
pants and wear a conical shaped hat
with a miniature American flag float
ing from the peak, and declaring if
any of these provisions were violated,
the government issuing the promulga-
ton reserved the right to ravage the
country with fire and sword and put
its inhabitants to indiscriminas
slaughter, if it's provisions were not
complied with strictly.
1t is with the most fragrant attempt
of one country to absolutize anothel
without its consent in the history OF
the world; the most presumpious effort
of one nation to tell another where to
get off at, on record.
And, yet, there are men who profess
to be Americans, that for the sake of
peace, insist we should tamely subml
to the establishment Of this principle
without protest or resistance.
Peace is glorious and war is terrible,
but there are better things than peace,
and American manhood and American
liberty are among these things; aiie
there are worse things than war, ano
the surrender of national dignity, the
yielding of human rights and tame
SUBMISSION to tyranny are among
these things.
The revolutionary poet of hum
dred years ago and more, SOUNDED the
true American spirit when he sang:
"Come, strike bold anthem, the war
dogs are bowling,
Already they eagerly snuff up thel1
prey.
The red clouds of war DER the forest.
are scowling,
Soft peace folds her wings and flies
weeping away.
Americans rally! the war drums ar
beating
The sod OF the valley may cover our
graves.
Front face! there must never be re-
treating,
Freenen can never be transformed to
slaves"