The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-02-04
SUNDAY MORNING, FEB. 4, 1917.
THE MORNING AFTER.

The inevitable has happened Ambassador Won
Bernstorf, when his passports were handed him yes
terday. expressed that which had been uppermost in
everyones mind since he delivered the orders of the
German war office on Wednesday: II am sorry.
However ! expected it, There was nothing else
left for the United States 10 do
No self respecting nation could have taken any
other course than that which we have TAKEN When
the German lords issued their decree forbiddng
to navigate the high seas. they knew exactly what
we would do. When Benstorf delivered the mes
sage to Lansing he knew the consequences Of the
act. For not to have resented the insolent de-
mand Of the German war office. would have
branded us as flabby molycoddIes of the most con-
tempible sort.
The white buttoned Mandarins Of the military
caste in Germany have deliberately invited hostile ac-
ton by the United States under the belief that we
not in position at the present time to offer ser
Ious opposition to their plan Of action.
Our patient forbearance, under extreme irritation
on many occasions during the past few months. may
have led them to believe that we would again tenn
porze with the humiating orders issued on Wednes-
day. through another maze Of dp lomatic notes, but
all the evidence is to the contrary.
/ he responsive cheers at the joint session Of the
American congress yesterday to the keynote decara-
lion Of the presidents address is indicative Of the
feeling throughout the nation.
Heretofore there have been in this country ardent
sympahizers with Germany this morning, no matter
what may have been the accident Of birth, we are
all Americans.
= = y y
The coming week will be one of intense suspense
and anxious waiting. While we have not vet quite
recovered from the suddenness Of the blow admins
tered on Wednesday. certain it is that every effort
will be made and every strained to Immediately
put the American fleet in full commission
1t is well known fact that many Of the vessels
have been in reserve on account of the lack Of men
and officers to man them for active duty. Con-
gress will undoubtedly pass an emergency appropria-
lion Of not less than $l0O,OOOOOO for immediate
use and will probably make immediate provision for
the building OF all naval vessels heretofore authorized,
but for the construction Of which no appropriation
has been made.
That is the lamentable part Of the present siua-
hon. The building Of cruisers and batleships is a
question Of years and not of months Our 40 sub
marines are nearly all Of the obsolete type, but &C
cordng to the last naval register, there are mod
ern submarines now ready to launch. Our quota
Of torpedo boats and destroyers is in far better shape
and have about Is battleships Of recent con.
struction.
OF course the first and immediate duty of the
American navy is TO that our merchant ships are
conveyed in safety to their usual ports Of destination
regardless OF the German order to keep off the high
he probabilities are that American vessels will
be held In port until the navy ready for this duty
II in the course Of the performance of our plain RICH
and duty to navigate the sea. some Of our ships are
sunk by German submarines or mines, we can ther
no longer hold in leash the ugly dogs of war;
he menaclng situation that now conronts US !;
neither OF our own choosing nor has it been broueh
about by own act 1t has been thrust upon US
in spite Of Our desire to keep out of European en-
nglements.
There is lacking the thrill and fervor that DOS
sessed the Nation at the time Of the outbreak Of tn
Spanish-Amerlcan war. 1t was then feeling O
helping the oppressed and downtrodden, it is now
quiet. but less determined feeling Of being force,
to resent an unooked-for and wanton disregard q
our undisputed rights as sovereign nation
Looking at the present situation calmly and dis
passonaely. it does seem shame that the war lord
IN Germany have deliberately and premeditatedl
forced US into position where we must defend on
sovereignty and national honor. regardless OF utur
consequences.
X X * r. * i
During the bloody days Of the French Revol,
ton, Charles Cotesworh Pinckney was sent as o,