Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1917-02-06
GditoriaIly Speaking


action in severing diplomatic rela-
tons with Germany, there will be
the strange case of two nations at
war neither of which desired the
combat; an instance where ones
rights and honor had been assailed;
where the other considered itself
forced to the use of every available
weapon to save itself from destruc-
ton by war already in progress.
There was but one thing for Pres
ident Wilson to do since Germany
had decided to violate her former
pledges to our government and was
determined to turn het submarines
loose in ruthless disregard of the
rights of all neutrals. President
Wilson has shown much patience in
the numerous attacks by Germany
upon American rights and even lives
He has recognized that this war had
brought forth unusual and unforeseen
conditions. He has given the Ger
man government ample opportunity
to redress its unlawful acts. But
time comes when the dignity and
honor of a nation will brook no
further assaults, and hence his sew
ering of all diplomatic relations with
the German nation. The United
States does not desire war and will
not unless Germany again sinks
American ships or murders Ameri-
can citizens.
Every true American will stand
behind President Wilson with conl-
plete and unquestioned loyalty.
American lives must be secure and
American rights respected. Even
though we will regret war with a.
great regret, if it is forced upon us
there will be mighty and united
nation behind the president.
There are some who believe Ger
many has taken this action with the
deliberate intention thereby of align
ing the principle neutral nations
against her. In that case it would
afford her opportunity to sue for
peace on the grounds that the CEN
trail powers could not be expected to
wage war practically against The en-
tire world. A few weeks will dis
close whether this is the correct YER
sion.
Germany's action in ruthlessly
attacking the rights of neutrals after
careful and due deliberation classes
| her as an outlaw. And yet we are
forced to wonder if any other nation
would do otherwise if placed in a
similar position to that of Ger
many's. She considers herself fight
/ ing for her very existance, and man.
/ ifestly is in desperate straits. She
= possesses a weapon by the use of
E which she believes victory can be
\ won, and without which she faces
= defeat Consequently she warns neu-
Y trail vessels to remain outside of a
t restricted war zone, and undoubtedly
t considers that but a small invasion
! of neutral rights when placed against
her very life and the lives of hei
starving people. Is there any other
: nation placed in similar circumstan-
: ces that would not use every weapon
$ at it's disposal even though it die
n thereby assail the technical right:
= of neutrals? A nation, like man
:, when its life is at stake, is not ovel
finicky about the weapons it en-
: ploys.
g But this does not excuse a neutra
Y from defending its own rights. NJ
foreign potentate can tell Americ;
d where her ships may and may no
Z. sail. If we are to retain our owl
: self respect as a nation, duty de
S mands that we resent with all thu
force at our disposal any further
: attacks upon American rights.