Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-04-03

Special Leased Wire
ports of Grent Britain and Ireland hf
The western coasts of Europe or any
of the ports controlled by the ene-
niea of Germany within the Mediter-
Irauoar.
Cruel and Unnanly Warfare.
THAT had seemed to be the object
Of German submarine warfare earlier
in the war, but since April of last
year the imperial government had
somewhat restrained the commanders
Of its undersea craft in conformity
with its promise then given to us that
passenger boats should not be sunk,
and that due warning would be given
to all other vessels which its subma-
rincs might seek to destroy, when no
resistance was offered or escape at
tempted aud care taken that their
crews were given at least a fair
chance to save their lives In their
open boats The precautions taken
were meagre and haphaZard enough.
as was proved in distressing instance
after instance in the progress of the
cruel and unmanly business. but
certain degree of restraint was OBJ
served.
Merciless War Begins.
THE new policy has swept every
restriction aside. Vessels of every
kind, whatever their flag, their char
acter, their cargo, their destination.
their errand. have been ruthlessly
sent to tho bottom without warning
and without thought of help or mercy
for those on board. the vessels OF
friendly neutrals along with those OF
belligerents. Even hospital ships and
ships carrying relief to the sorely
bereaVed and stricken people of Bell
GUM, though the latter were provid-
cd with safe conduct through the pro-
scribod areas by the German govern
ment itself and were distinguished by
unmistakable marks of identity have
been sunk with the same reckless lack
of compassion or principle.
Unthinkable Barbarism.
Il was for little while unable to
believe that such things would in fact
lie done by any government that had
hitherto subscribed to the humane
practices OF civilized nations. Inter-
national law had its origin in the at
tempt to set up some law, which
would be respected and observed up
on the seas, where no nation had
right of dominion and where lay the
free highways of the world. By pain
ful stage after stage has that law
been built up with meagre enough re-
suits, indeed, after all was accom-
plished that could be accomplished,
but always with clear view, at least,
Of what the heart and conscience of
mankind demanded.
This minimum of right the Ger
man government has swept aside un-
der the plea of retaliation and neces-
sity and because it had no weapons
which It could use at sea except these.
which it is impossible to employ as II
IS employing them without throwing
10 the winds all scruples of humanity
or Of the respect for the understand
ings that were supposed to underlie
the intercourse of the world.
Lives Wantonly Taken.
81 am not thinking OF the loss OF
property involved. immense and seri-
ous as this is, but only of the wanton
ard wholesale destruction of the lives
of -comhatants, men, women and
children, engaged in pursuits which
have always, even in the darkest
periods of modern history, baen DEEM
q innocent and legitimate Property
can be paid for; the lives Of peaceful
and innocent people cannot be.
THE present German submarine