New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-01
Ruthless Course Outcome
of Lusitania Tragedy,
He Declares
WARSHIP CONVOYS
URGED BY DEPEW
Terrorism Used TO Replace
Lack of Force, Says
Prof. StoWeIl

Indignation was the keynote OF COM
ment BY prominent men last night on
Germany's latest message to the United
States.
Frederic R. COudert, the lawyer,
said:
This action on the part Of Ger
many indicates a desperate situation
in which all semblance of a regard
for law, or color of law, is 70 be aban-
loned. Great areas of the free seas
are marked out in which belligerent
or neutral lives and shipping are TO be
dealt with wholly outside of law and
humanity.
This practically declares war upon
the neutral world. The attempt 70
dictate the exact ports 70 which Amer
lean vessels may sail and the dates
and routes is an exercise Of power
which it is not presumed the Amerl-
can Government can or Will for a mo-
ment tolerate.
Logical Outcome of Lusitania
1T is now certain that the German
war party are in complete control. and
that they will no longer hesitate to
carry out their most ruthless meas
ures, even though certain 20 arralgn
America against Germany Judging
from recent official statements. this
course was not unanticipated by
Washington. and il is to be hoped that
measures compatible with our dignity
as a nation viii be resorted 90.
This is the logical outcome Of the
Lusitania. Sussex and other tragedies,
and was inevitable, | believe. upon
the failure of the peace suggestion
THE note is a gross insult 20 the
United States" declared Chauncey NJ.
Depew. 1T assumes TO dictate TO US
the manner in which we shall do things
which it is our absolute right 20 do as
we please. It is nothing short OF a
denial of the right of the seas 70 the
United States-and if that is denied
sovereignty itself is taken away.
IF / were President ! would make
plain statement OF the rights Of this
country on the seas. and then | would
follow up that statement TO the end
If necessary | would send a batCleship
with every really American merchant
vessel which wished 10 enter the for
hidden zone.
There are certain articles which are
recognized By the laws Of nations as
contraband. | would not protect YES
sci carrying these articles, but | GER
tainly would not take away protection
simply because a vessefs cargo includ-
ed some article forbidden BY the Ger
man government alone.
Note Not Blockade Order
The German note is not blockade
order. II is transparent thSt Germany
cannot effect a real blockade. She evil
dencly relies more on her threat than
on her torpedoes and mines. American
vessels have the right 20 90 anywhere
they please so long a there . 20 real
blockade in effect. If they are entitled
20 fly the American flag they are en-
titled 20 all the respect due the mighty
people that dag represents. II | we're
President I should see that they got it,
ElIery c. Stowell, associate professor
Cf international law az Columbia Uni
versity. said:
"The evident intention Of the Ger
mans as declared in their note is 70
torpedo all vessels approaching Al
lied territory ard TO give 70 the meas
tres adopted 20 nearly as possible the
aspect of q blockade. But blockade II
is no more than the British interdict.
il is really an extraordinary measure
based upon the ground OF reprlsal.
Even if Germany had the force &c
maintain an effective blockade she
would have no right 10 sink without
warning the ships attempting TO vio-
iatc H. Not having the force upon the
seas 20 employ the ordinary and legal
methods, Germany attempts 70 make up
b. ter~crization what she lacks in
power. not even according a seemly
delay before putting into force her IN
warranted measure.
A eliminating Insult
From the noint Of view Of the
United States. this note is a culminat-
ing insult and demonstrates how i'm
possible il is 70 avoid difficulties by
refusal TO meet them firmly when they
first arise. By this notice Germany
throws over the pledge which she gave
in reply to the American ultimatum
i'm the Sussex case.
"The con iitions which Germany at