The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-02-02
THE. NEXT MOVE.

No sane American has wished for trouble with
Germany. Most Of us have realized that when a
nation is involved in life and death struggle that
we should forbear to demand the very letter Of the
law knowing the strong provocations and handicaps
under which the warning nations have been laboring
We believe that the people of the United States,
as whole, have taken this same view whenever
Germany. England or France have seemed to over
step our own undisputed rights as a neutral nation
But there is limit to which even forbearing
people cannot go. without the loss of its own SOW
ereignty and self respect.
China is now fair example of the low state to
which great nation come, that has not the will
or the power to protect itself from the humilating
encroachments and demands of other nations
In 1907. although young and feeble. we had the
spirit to resent the insoent demands of both
France and England regarding our right of COM
merce the high SEAS from which our ships are
now ordered by the German government.
We are also informed that Austria and Turkey
will at once serve notice upon to keep our mer-
chant ships out Of the Mediterranean Bulgaria
will probably be next in line with similar demands.
Under the decree from Berlin, the people of the
United States are absolutely forbidden to trade with
the people of France under the penalty of having
vessels sunk upon the high seas, without warn
ing.
By the same decree we are absolutely forbidden
to send merchant ship to any port in Ireland or
Scotland. We are granted the privilege of send
ing one passenger ship week to the single English
port Of Falmouth with the express understanding
that this single ship only enter the port on Sun
day and must leave on Wednesday, and with the
further stipulation that the vessel shall carry no cargo
Of any kind. that is prohibited by the German gov
eminent.
In the event we attempt to sail an American ship
into any other port in France England, Ireland or
Scotland she will be sent to the bottom by German
submarines without further notice warning.
These orders took effect yesterday but we are
given until next Monday to leave these ports
his in substance is the sist and meaning of the
German note delivered at Washington "Wednesday
evening. Submission to these orders means imme-
date paralysis to American commerce and trade,
but that is the least part of the matter
Surprising. this week or next, an American ship
loaded with wheat or cotton, sails from New
York or New Orleans for Bordeaux or Brest or
Cork or Liverpool or Glasgow, and in accordance
with the specific terms of the note she is sunk bv
German submarine--what then?
Suppose. this week or next, an American pas
senger ship, bound for Liverpool. with hundreds Of
men, women and children aboard is sent to the
bottom by submarine. whose commander is act
ing in accord with the orders now PROMULGATED.
what them
We need not comfort ourselves with the belief
that there will be any notes sent Just as
certain as fate these contingencies will send the
American battleshps and cruisers as fast as steam
drive them. to the war zone. with guns shotted
and orders to shoot.
We doubt if the average citizen, reading the dis
patches this morning. realizes the imminent TRACED,
that now impends.
We cannot but believe that the German war Of
flee has determined that the way to win the war i
to crush England and France by completely shut
ting out all food supplies that to accomplish Thu
end she must deliberately violate the rights Of neu
trail nations that the recent note was sent with !
full knowledge that it must bring on trouble witt
the United States. which result she is prepared t.
hazarI, knowing full well that our army amounts t.
nothing and that our available navy is not al
powerful.
This Week momeutous one in world history
The masses Of the people Of these United States d
not realize that they themselves are confronting tn
biggest crisis in their own history since April. 66l