New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-07-22
Public Clan,or Droue
British to Reprisals
For German Air Raids

England's adoption Of policy Of re-
prisals for German air raids came after
weeks Of heated public discussion. The
recent raids on London, which resulted
In the death of hundreds Of infants
and women, so incensed the people that
a strong movement for reprisals devel-
oped throughout Great Britain. Hall
Caine, in several articles, urged the
British government to retaliate for the
innocent victims Of Prussian ruthless
ness, holding the German mothers re-
sponsible for the raids.
"The German mother" he wrote, has
not only not discouraged air raids on
London, she has rejoiced in them. Just
as she held jubilee in the streets and
homes of Berlin over the sinking of the
Lusitania, which caused the drowning
of one hundred helpless little children
and brought no military advantage 70
the arms of her country, so In the
hone Of having assisted in Frightening
England into submission) she Will hno
low in the bombing of London. knowing
full we'll that 1t did nothing more heip-
ful to Germany than to send ten itties
English bows and girls to the grave and
fifty others to the hospital"
Policy Changed by Public Opinion
MANY public bodies petitioned tn,
,,oyernment on behalf Of the advocated
reprisal policy. Town meetings were
held in different parts Of the country, az
which resolutions urging reprisals were
nassed. Although the government mao
announced in the House OF commons
that no new air policy would be ADOPT
ed Il soon began to waver unoer Ihe
pressure of national opinion. H..
The Northeliffe press was very eetiye
IN moulding this opinion. The DaiIy
Mail" Of July 4 carried this typ'ea'
editorial on the subject:
"Three weeks ago to-day nfteen ue y.
man aeroplanes bombed Londoh ~
broad daylight. They reacned tne cay
ital unmolested, inflicted 600 easuaitle !,
mainly upon non-eombatants; ano 'T ne
thew escaped without o scratch. iHs
German newspapers have toid us
there was any doubt on that porncL
that they are coming again. ine.'
raids are to be made whenever IL
convenient, and the next one Is proo'
able due. ,.,.,d
their own towns against our raids tney
would have no time to spare for ppmo.
inc London. But so far there has nov
hoen a whisper of a single British az
tsck on the great German cities, though
there are plenty Of fortresses, military
bssdnuarters and munition depo''
within reach Of our front.
No Moral Issue Involved
"1nstead Of taking action Of this kind
rs have spent the last three weeks In
On. muddle-hcaded discussion OF a
moral is.ue. which does not arise a. al
Tire defence of this country against az.
attacks in war is not moral put
military question. 1t can be com
nrs.sed into one sentence. Either we
attack the Germans in their own CUM
try or they will attack Us mere;
1.-THE present passive defensive eys.
tenn has every possible disadven'aes
and Is unfair TO the army ana 10 th'
people of this country. II sets tieS
the German aeroplsnes and guns wnlc.
would otherwise be required to Protec'
the German towns, and IL enables tne
German command without any anxiety
10 use them against British towns o.
agsinst tho British army"
Opposed to reprisals were some o.
the leading dignitaries Of the Church
and certain radical leaders. The Count
ess of Warwick was one OF those VINO
appealed to the masses not 70 heeo 'he
call for reprisals.