The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-02-01
THURSDAY MORNING, FEB. I, 1917
DOES 1T MEAN WAR?

The German note delivered at Washington last
evening, reduced to simple terms. means that Ger
many and her allies are now prepared to stake their
all on the last turn Of the card.
As only one answer can be made by the United
States TO the impossible terms laid down in the Ger
note. it must mean that Germany is desperate
and is prepared to invite the open hostility of America
and every other neutral nation on earth. when she
thus opposes her own necessities and imperial will to
all former standards and rules Of International law
The note yesterday is direct reputation of
Gemany's former pledge that she would not, in the
future, sink unarmed ships Of neutral nations without
warning and without giving ample opportunity for
the passengers and crew to save themselves.
The German note now explicitly says. that, from
and after today. she absolutely forbids any commun-
cation with France and England by sea. except one
passenger boat per week, which must not carry any
food merchandise that is vetoed by German rules
Only on other occasion in history has bellig-
erent nation attempted in this way to abrogate the
rights of neutral nations
In 1906. in the midst Of the Napoleonic wars, Ma
poeon issued his famous Berlin Decree" which for
bade all commerce with England and declared it law
ful to seize any neutral ship sailing to or from an
English port.
On January 2. 1907. Great Britain replied to the
Berlin decree of Napoleon by its Order in Coun-
Gil. by which all neutral vessels were prohibited to
sail from to any French port Every neutral ship.
which should violate this ORDER was to be confscated
with its cargo.
Napoleon retaliated with his Decree Of Milan -
In this he declared that any neutral vessel which per-
mitted search by British man Of war, or had paid
duty any cargo to British port was declared to
be denationalzed and subject to capture on the high
seas.
1t was American resentment of the Berlin de.
cree" and the Order in Council that first brought
us into conflict with France and afterwards drove th:
country into the war Of 1872 with Great Britain.
Britain.
Both the edcts Of Napoleon and that Of Crea
Britain resulted in intoerable interference with Amer
lean commerce. AS in 1867. the present German
action against commerce is taken in order te
defeat enemy. in utter disregard Of our rights as
neutral nation and utterly at variance with the an
cient doctrine Of the freedom Of the seas.
s. y y
In his note Of July a. 1915. to Germany, regard
ing the Lusitania affair, President Wilson said:
IF beligerent cannot retaliate against
an enemy without injuring the lives of
neutrals. as well as their property, hui
manity well justice and due regard for
the dignity of neutral powers, should die
tate that the practice be discontinued. II
persisted in it would, in such circumstances,
constitute objectionable offense against
the sovereignty of the neutral nation at
fected. The government of the
United states will continue to contend for
that freedom from whatever quarter vio-
lated, without compromise and at any cost.
Friendship prompts it to say to the i'm
periai government that repetition by the
commanders of German naval vessels
facts in contravention of those rights must
be regarded by the government of the
United States, when they affect American
citizens, as deliberately unfriendly."
In view Of the threatened action of German,
either the United States must now assume the 70
of Greece or Belgium or China or she must fight fo
her rights.
The German note Of yesterday cooly relegates
the scrap of paper status. the age-old right to Il
freedom Of the seas.
We have come to the parting Of the ways.
This nation cannot do otherwise than support Il
president in unfolding the rights and the dignity
free and independent people. Who is there TIL
will say MOP
INA