The Washington herald., 1917-02-22
What Leading Newspapers
Say on the War Situation
spy" Bills and Others.
New York Herald.)

New York Herald.)
Hysteria cut no figure in the passage
by the Senate of the bills. submitted to
Congress by the Department of Justice,
designed to enable the Federal govern
ment TO protect the United States from
crimes against itself and its neutrality.
The fact that present conditions made
immediate action imperative does not OBJ
scure another fact, which Is that legisla-
tion of this nature should have been on
the statute books long ago. In the alb
sence of such laws the Federal govern
ment has been practically powerless to
punish either aliens or its own citizens
guilty of acts endangering the welfare Of
the nation.
1t Is well known that information which
is properly safeguarded in every other
country has been easily obtainable here
by persons acting for other governments
When Senator Overman referred to the
presence in the United states of an army
of spies he probab bly, had IN mind a situa-
tion that has been notorious since the
outbreak of the war in Europe, but the
fact is we always have had a small army
OF spies, and busy one, in our midst.
The legislation now in process of pas
sage through Congress represents moth
ing more than necessary first step to-
ward national self-protection.
New York Evening Post.
There are more instances of the break
ing OF diplomatic relations not followed
by war than people realize To the one
in Jackson's time, cited by correspond-
ent on this page recently, may be added
TWO which are recalled by Professor Sto-
well in his international Cases" One
grew out of the lynching of italians at
New Orleans, an occurrence which was
peculiarly irritating to Rome Washing
ton had no pow0r to Coerce Louisiana or
New Orleans into rendering satisfaction
At last. Italy recalled her Minister War
did not ensue however, and in the end
.the differences were adjusted and diplo-
matte relations restored. Another in
stance occurred during the administra-
ton iof a Colonel not generally regarded
as a pacitist Venezuela not evincing what
we thought a proper disposition toward
some matters in dispute. We recalled our
Minister and put the affairs of the lega-
ton in the hands of the representative
of Brazil But again the suspension OF
normal Intercourse was only temporary,
way out was found by means of arbI-
tration
Private Industry and Preparedness.
New York Trib,ms.)
1t is unfortunate that a large
proportion of our lawmakers seem to be
much less perturbed at the spectacle of
our helplessness than at the prospect of
some private manufacturers possibly
making profits out OF the arms and am
munitiOn we need so sorely. This par
alyzing conscience Of the legislator is no
new thing. We see the same influence
at work in the shortsghted and stupid,
not to say criminal. encouragement of
the electrO-chemicaI industries upon
which so many of the essentials of de-
fensive preparation depend.
The board presided over by Colonel
Francis ]. Herman naturally has but little
patience with those who are fearful of
encouraging private industries and can
see no way in which they could hope to
derive any benefits from war in which
this country Is involved" On the other
hand, cooperation between such indus
tries and the government is the only hope,
and it is urgently necessary to take steps
to that end. And such steps must be
taken without further delay.
The Protests of Neutral Nations.
CTns outlook)
The other neutral nations continue
their policy of protest against the out
rageous violation of their rights by Ger
many, but there has been no break OF
diplomatic relations. Oddly enough, the
most definite threat Of such a break has
come in a report from China, which
states that the Chinese government has
advised the German government that
China will break off diplomatic relations
II the new submarine measures are pur-
sued. The text of BraziTs warning 10
Berlin has been made public, and is both
emphatic and clear in its refusal to rec
ognize the blockade and in charging Ger
many with responsibility for any acts in
tmical to Brazilian interests. Spain de-
clares her duty ito protect the lives and
properties of our citizens against all H.
legal attacks through a declaration to
this effect by the premier, and as we
write there are reports from London that
Spain's Intervention in the war is consid.
cred not improbable.
Holland is perhaps injured more than
any other neutral nation by the narrow
limits permitted by the German procIams-
ton to commerce. 1t is barred from pas-
sage on the route to India, which ia ot
the very highest Importance to Dutch
colonial shipping. The situation of TJoI,
land Is an extremely difficult and deli.
cate one, because German forces in grea,
NUMBER are on the Dutch frontier. and
Lidhy Iear that serious dispute between
Germany and Holland would Iesa to .
crushing blow on Holland such as foI
upon Serbia and Rumania. Because M
her geographical position. Holland woIIId
nc very valuable aid to the allies n che
should Join their forces. Great Britain
tor instance. could then send troops dowr
the Rhine and the Meuse through DutcI
territory and in other ways would have q
desirable opportunity for a flank attacL
on Germany. IF, therefore. war should
nreak out between Holland and GERMANY
"1uio seem probable that Great Britain
u. mou'u ,ose no time in rushing to the sup
port of Holland From, n ,,;It. 80
of view. the question whether srch s,,,,
port could strengthen Hollands rosfst
ance s m Time to save the country is a mos,
important and interesting one
HOTEL CTEpVc DT AN