Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-02-27

\UltS ISSo ioi oosi'oi''y w ~
tablish EARNED neutrality" was
as follows:
"Gentlemcu of the Congress: l have
again taken the privilege of addressing
you because we are moving through
critical times during which it seems to
me to he my duty to keep in close touch
with the houses Of Congress so that
neither counsel nor action shall run at
cross-purposes between us
Four Weeks Operations
con the third of February | officially
Informed you of the sudden and unex-
pected action of the imperial German
government in declaring its intention to
disregard the promises it had made &c
this government III April last and un'
dertake immediate submarine operations
against all commerce whether of bellig-
erents or of neutrals. that should seek
to approach Great Britain and Ireland
the Atlantic coasts of Europe or the
harbors of the Eastern Mediterranean
and to conduct those operations with
out regard to the established reStric-
lions of International practice, without
regard to any considerations of human
ity even. which might interfere with
their object. Their policy was forth
with put into practice. 1t has now been
in active operation for nearly four
weeks. It's practical results are not
fully disclosed. The commerce of other
neutral nations is suffering severely, but
is not perhaps, very much more severe
ly than it was already suffering before
the first of February when the new pol
icy of the imperial government was put
into operation. We have asked the CO.
operation of the other neutral govern
ments to prevent these depredationS but
fear none Of them has thought it wise
to Join us in any common course of ac-
ton. our own commerce has suffered,
is suffering. rather in apprehension than
in fact. rather because so many of our
ships are timidly keeping to their home
ports than because American ships have
been sunk
American Vessels Sunk
Two American vessels have been
sunk the Housatonic and the Lyman NJ.
Law. The case of the Housatonic, which
was carrying foodstuffs consigned to a
London firm. was essentially IKE the
case of the Frye, in which. it will be
recalled. the German government admit
ted its liability for damages and the
lives of the crew. as in the case of the
Frye, We're safeguarded by reasonable
care. The case of the Law, which was
carrying lemon box slaves to Palermo,
disclosed ruthlessness of method
which deserves grave condemnation but
was accompanied by no circumstances
which might not have been expected at
any time in connection with the use of
the submarine against merchantmen as
the German government has used it.
I'm sum. therefore. the situation we
find ourselves in with regard to the
rine warfare against commerce and its
effects upon our own ships and peo-
pie is substantially the same that it
was when | addressed YOU on the third
of February, except for the tying up
of our shipping in our own ports be-
cause of the unwillingness Of our ship
owners to risk their vessels at sea
without Insurance or adequate protec-
ton and the very serious congestion of
our commerce. which has resulted, a
congestion which is growing rapidly
more and more serious every day.
This in itself might presently ac
in effect. what the new Ger
man submarine orders were meant to
accomplish, so far as we are con-
cerned. We can only say, therefore,
that the overt act which l have VEN
tured to hope the German commanders
would in fact avoid, has not occurred.
But while this is happily true, it
must be admitted that there have been
certain additional indications and ex-
pressions of purpose on the part of the
German press and the German author
tiles which have increased rather than
lessened the impression that even if
our ships and our people are spared
it will be because of fortunate circum-
stances or because the commanders of
the German submarines, which they
may happen to encounter. exercise an
discretion and restraint
rather than because of the instruc-
tions under which those commanders
are acting.
at would be foolish to DENY that the
is fraught with the grayest