Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1917-04-04
U. S. WILL
DECLARE WAR.
CONTINUED from Page Onel

M0M44 LG %ANE4 ~ N~A~@ $500
which its submarines might seek 70
destroy, when no resistance was Of
fered or escape attempted, and care
taken that their crews we're given at
least a fair chance to save their lives
In their open boats.
Restrictions Swept Aside
The precautions taken were meagre
and haphazard enough. as was proved
in distressing instance after instance
in the progress OF the cruel and un-
manly business, but a certain degree
Of restraint was observed. The new
policy has swept every restriction
aside. Vessels Of every kind, what
ever their flag, their character, their
cargo, their destination, their errand
have been ruthIessIy sent to the bot
tom without warning and without
thought of help or mercy for those on
board, the vessels of friendly neu-
trails along with those Of beIIigerents.
Even hospital ships and ships car
rying relief TO the sorely bereaved
and stricken people of Belgium,
though the latter were provided with
safe conduct through the prescribed
areas by the German government it
self and were distinguished by un-
mistakeable marks of identity, have
been sunk with the same reckless
lack Of compassion or of principle
I was for q little while unable to
believe that such things would in fact
be done by any government that had
hitherto subscribed to the humane
practices of civilized nations.
international Law Violated
International law had its origin in
the attempt to set up some law which
would be respected and observed upon
the seas, where no nation has right
of dominion and where lay the free
highways Of the world
BY painful stage after stage has
that law been built up. with meagre
enough results, indeed. after all was
accomplished that could be accom-
pIlshed but always with a clear view,
at least, OF what the heart and con-
science of mankind demanded. This
minimum Of right the German gov
eminent has swept aside under the
plea of retaliation and necessity, and
because it had no weapons which it
could use at sea except these which it
is impossible to employ as il is en-
ploying them without throwing 10 the
winds all scruples OF humanity or or
respect for the understanding that
were supposed TO underlie the inter
course Of the world
/ am not now thinking Of the loss
OF property involved, immense and
serious as that is, but only Of the
wantOn and wholesale destruction OF
the lives OF non-combatants, men,
women and children, engaged IN pur-
suits which have always. even in the
darkest periods OF modern history.
been deemed innocent and legitimate.
Property can be paid for; the lives
OF peaceful and innocent people can
not be. The present German sub
marine warfare against commerce is
q warfare against mankind.
War Against All Nations
It is a war against all nations.
American ships have been sunk,
American lives taken. in ways which
II has stirred Us very deeply to learn
Of, but the ships and people of other
neutral and friendly nations have
been sunk and overwhelmed in the
waters in the same way
There has been no discrimination
The challenge is to all mankind.
Each nation must decide for itself
how it viii meet tt The choice We
make for ourselves must be made
with a moderation of counsel and
temperatures Ct frd-nont betting
or character an our motives as a
nation re must put excited feel
Ing away Or metre vii 1oe be
revenge o. the victorious assertion
CT the physical might Of the nation,
bit only the vindication of rights: OF
human rights, CT which we are only
. single CHAMPION.
When I addressed the congress on
Feb. 20 last, I thought that il would
suffice to assert our neutral rights
with arms, our right TO use the seas
against unlawful violence. But armed
neutrality. it now appears, is i'm
practicable Because submarines are
il effect outlaws when used a. the
German submarines have been used
against merchant shipping, it Is I'm
possible TO defend ships against their
attacks, as the law OF nations has
assumed that merchantmen would de-
fend themselves against privateers or
cruisers, visible craft giving chase
upon the open sea
Must Destroy U-9oats
It is common prudence in such cir
cumstances. grim necessity. indeed,
TO endeavOr TO destroy them before
they have shown their own intention.
They must be dealt with upon
sight. IT dealt with at all. The Ger
man government denies the right or