Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-02-26

Il AUTHORITY TO
handle SITUATION
(Contipucd from First Page)
lention to disregard the promises it
had made to this government in April,
Hast. and undertake immediate sub
marine operations against all COM
mcrce, whether of bclligerent or Of ncu-
trails, that should seek to approach
Great Britain and Ireland. the Allan
tic coast of Europe OF the harbors of
the eastern Mediterranean and to con-
duct those operations without regard
to established restrictions of intcrna-
tional practice, without regard to any
considerations of humanity even which
might interfere with their object. That
policy was forthwith put into prac-
tice. 1t has now been in active execu-
ton for nearly four weeks.
COMMERCE SUFFERING.
Its practical results are not yet
fully disclosed. The commerce of
other neutral nations is suffering
severely, but not, perhaps. very
much more severely than it was
already suffering before the first
of February. when the new policy
Of the imperial government was put
into operation. We have asked the
,,f Al fra1
governments to prevent these dep
relations. but so far none of them
has thought it wise to join us in
any common course of action. Our
own commerce has suffered, is
suffering rather i'm apprehension
than in fact: rather because so
many of our ships are timidly keep
ing to their home ports than be-
cause American ships have been
sunk.
1.-TWO American VESSELS have been
sunk, the Housatunc. which was car
rying foodstuffs consigned to Lon
don firm. was essentially like the case
OF the Frye, in which, 1t will be re-
He'd. tho German government adj
nittcd its liability for damages, and
The lives of tho crew. as in the case
a.
reasonable care The case OF the Law
w was carrying lemon box slaves
10 Palermo. disclosed ruthessness OF
method which deserves grave condcm
nation, but was accompanied by nc
circumstances which might not have
been expected at any time in connec-
ton with the use of the submarine
against merchantmen Us the German
government has used it.
CONGESTION SERIOUS.
"In the sum. therefore, the situation
VIC find ourselves in with regard &c
The actual conduct of the German sub
marine warfare against commerce and
its effects upon our own ships and
people is substantially the same tina,
81 was when 7 addressed you on the
third Of February, except for the tying
up of our shipping in our own ports
because Of the unwilingness OF our
thip owners to risk their vessels at sea
with ,ut insurance or adequate protec-
ton and the very serious congestion
.f our commerce which has resulted
p congestion which is growing rapidly
more and more serious every day.
This in itself might presently &C
romplish, in effect. what the new Ger.
accomplish. so far as We are concern
cd We can only say, Therefore, thai
the overt act which ] have vcnturet
10 hope the German commander:
would I'm fact avoid. has not occurred
SITUATION GRAVE.
But while this happily is true,
1t must be admitted there are GER
tain indications of expressions of
4 t,. .Af I<
press and the German authorities
which have increased rather than
lesscncd the impression that, II
our ships and our people are spar
cd IL will bc because Of fortunate
circumstances or because the com
mandcrs of the German subna-
rinos which they may happen to
encounter may exercise an unex-
pcctcd discretion and restraint
rather than because Of the in
structions under which those COM
mandcrs are acting. 1t would be
foolish to deny that the situation is
fraught with the grarest possibll-
ties and dangers. No thoughtful
man can fail to sec that the ncces-
sty for definite action may come
at any time II we are in fact, and
not in word merely, 10 defend our
elementary rights AS neutral
nation. 1t would be most imprudcnt
to be unprcpared.
Il cannot in such circumstances b
unmindful of the fact that the expirt
ton of the term OF the present con
Eress is Immediately at hand by con
stitutional limitation: and that
would in all likelihood require an un
usual length of time to assemble an
organize the congress which is to sue
coed ii.
AUTHORITY ASKED.
Il feel that | ought, in view Of tina
fact To ohluin frnn Won full and i'm