South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-12-09


For the most part. states stiff prepar-
ing launch its attack vast in and resources
against the German empire Armies that will be count
by millions money rolling up INTO billions. and
industrial energies the nation mobilizing
smash battle front overseas. Getting ready is grim
ly earnest business which lacks the thrill and pas
eantry o other American when. almost fast
they could be mustered into the service, the regi-
ments went marching of to engage the enemy In the
present crisis the hrst martial struck when
Pershings forces vanished in nisht and reappesred
somewhere In France but even there 1t was the same
arduous of training. waiting. and preparing
for the word.
Meanwhile for more than half a year there has
been brisk lighting blue water. single ship actions
waged with the dash and of the best Yankee
csval traditions. and episodes recall the of
those privateersmen of the Revolution 1872. who
fought for glory we'll for cargoes. To and fro
lcross the Atlantic defying the German submarines
the merchant steamers under the stars Stripes
have made hundreds voyages with navy guns
sunners aboard and as one Of these fine lads might
tell you. we giving the country the first for
AN ELOQUENT PHRASE.
Armed merchantmen! The phrase is eloquent OF a
brilliant maritime history which this genera
ton has almost forgotten, when Columbia Britain
nis ruled the and New England shippers fousht
with pike and carronade TO defend the freedom of the
seas. a century ago when their stout Indiamen
explored trade the other side of the
globe and sailed IN quest OF ports mysterious and un-
known. there we're always rows of guns behind the
buIwarks and crews trained 10 man them. A peaceful
voyage was novel experience. These tail merchant
harred by pirates and privateers of dozen
races they expected TO swap broadsides pile
canvas in stern chase all the way from the Bahama
banks ports OF China Sumatra. and the Indies
These American mariners the
earlier race o. colonial who had sailed
traded amid dangers manifold 90 make their
1lardihood astounding vessels much larger and
far less seaworthy than the uenoats which hang from
a liners davits they had dared distant voyages and
the syarnins freebooters OF bloody. lavless
on salt water.
And vet through centuries OF maritime conflict
there was never American merchantmen sunk with
her crew and passengers by prvateer letter-of-
naroue ship. matter what colOrs she few-French.
spanish. Dutch English Such bar5arity prac-
ced only by outlawed pirate with the black fag
al his and far less often than is commonly
supposed fact. most real pirates thieves
who preferred plumber cutting throats fought
no more than they had 90.
INFANfN UNIQUE
II was reserved for the Imperial German govern
rren exponent OF goth century civilization so supe-
rior 10 all others distinctive
OF luItur 20 achieve nfamy unique all the his
tory OF the sea the wholesale slauEhter and drown
ing OF merchant and the people intrusted
care The drunken privsteersman and his
ea1lovs scrapings. the d-handed buccaneer OF
Tortuga would have viewed such crimes abhorreut
and Incredible
The great Europe has turned military science
upside down and tossed most OF its precepts the
rubbish heap Invention has resolved il
g-e OF three dmeusons-in the air, the land. be-
meath the sea- clash Of factors. hitherto
dreamed Of BattIeshIp fleets which decide the
mastery afloat ride idly their moorngs Nothing
main al so WILDLY remind other as
story the armed merchant ships which In 1917
are steering win their port IN orAsr Tia