Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-11
Armed Ships Only Course

has been obvious, from the incipicncy of
this discussion. that the mere arming of
American merchant ships would provide no
protection whatever. If the armament is to
avail anything ii tho supposed protection is
to he real protection the commanders OF
such vessels must have instructions to use
their guns at the first indication of the pres
cn2e OF a German submarine.
II is gratifying therefore, that the State
Department adhcrcs TO this view In the de-
partmcnts official Judgment, as recorded in
press dispatches from Washington, "thc mere
appearance OF German submarine or its
periscope in tho presence OF an American
armed merchant vessel would cntitlc that ship
TO take all measures of protection, on the
assumption that the U-boat's purpose was
hostile Under this ruling. an American
armed merchantmen could fire on Il German
submarine the moment it was sighted"
NO other Interpretation is I'm accord with
German proclamations. American rights or
ordinary common sense Germany has an
nounced TO the world her purpose to sink
without warming. every neutral vessel which
dares TO invade her so-called barred zones :"
Shc does not pretend that this policy is justi-
hod by the rules OF blockade--shc does not
even pretend TO have established a blockade
hut supports her course by an appeal To tho
right OF rcprisa for her enemies real or
alleged violations OF international law
Whatever be the justice of this contention so
lar as II relates 10 bclligerents. II has no
application to ncutrals The sinking OF an
American ship under such circumstances is
plain and simple piracy. and against piracy
every vessel which sails tho seas has an in
hcrent and inalicnablo right to make defense
This doctrine is 10 novelty to America
IL WAS applied in the infancy of tho govern
mcnt TO our relations with the Barbary states
While we are accustomed to speak of al
Gcrian pirates and "rripolitan corsairs
the fact is that tho vessels which then proved
on American commerce were not mere rovcrs
OF the seas, sailing under tho black flag. but
armed public ships of One or another of the
ha'lohs strung along the southern ittoral OF
the Mediterranean. We regarded thcm AK
pirates and instructed our armed merchant
men to treat them pirates, because they
acted like pirates We made war finally
on tho barbary states because they authorized
their SallcyS To destroy our trade Gcrmanv's
submarine frightfuncss has placed her in
exactly the same category
FOR American ships to wait until thcv have
bccn torpcdocd or shclcd before using their
al iidhieht would DC :; Grass absurdity. TO
announce such an intention would he Ia IN
rite destruction. The only possible course ie
10 hrc when the submarine shows itself ar lie
pcriscopc above the crcsts OF tho waves As
me state Departments announcement saws
tho commander of an American vessel within
q barred zone has the right TO assume that
an approaching l. boat has hostile purposc
ana so has the right TO prevent thai hustil.
purpose from being carried into effect
iha' inns means war is probably true Al
any rate, 1T means neither folly nor disbon,r
That New York ma gstratc who said !, ,;,.
chauffeur has no moro right ia RIM wild ~,
any other driver has no prourr coucnn,i,,,
OF municipal privileges