The Washington herald., 1917-05-11
U-BOAT RUTHLESSNESS
JUSTIFICATION FAILS
Analysis Of Undersea Crime. by Prof.
Van Hoon Questions German
Reasons.

Hendrix Willem Van Loon = f.ornerl
University professor suggests. The
youth and the inexperience OF the IJ-boat
commanders may be responsible for the
senseless killing Of so many neutrals.
Perpaps thls Is true. But what about
lne commanders OF that part Of the
German navy which operates above
water? These men cannot be the victims
OF tender years or lack Of experience.
For many months their navy has been
peacefully noating upon the TRANQUIL wa
terE OF the ktel Canal The sporadic
raids upon Ramsgate and similar British
"fortresses" cannot have DESTROYED the
morale OF the German naval commanders.
Hence there arises the following interest
Ing question; Why did squadron OF
German destroyers attack a neutral yes
sci called the Amstelstroom. yvbv aid
this squadron pepper the ship with shells
at distance of 300 metres without any
previous warning; why did this squadron
refuse to offer assistance to the ship
wrecked sailors, OF whom one-sixth were
killed?
Interesting Problem.
Here Is an interesting problem for stu
dents of the present-day German psyche.
II they wish to extend their studies stiIl
further, why did the Germans sink
Dutch vessels travelling without contra
band OF war from a Norwegian to a
Dutch port and following the narrow
channel which the imperial German gov
ernment has guaranteed as absolutely
safe
the suggestion Of youth and inexperi-
ence' does not strike me as sound. II is
true that the systematic lies by which
the German naval commanders have ex-
planned away such mistakes often indi-
cate an almost incredible nafvete Csee,
for example, the official explanation of
the destruction Of the TubantiaD But
these official fbs do not sound like the
inexperience of youth. They represent
the well-calculated effort OF old and
trained offenders. Why should we try
to discover plausible explanations when
the phenomenon itself is well known and
has been well known since early his
tory?"
German Attitude Arrogant.
'It is simply case Of the ancient furor
teutonicus on a chemical and gasoline
basis. The great German nation has de-
creed that no foreign ship shall be found
upon the high seas. Very well. There
sails a ship which has dared to brave
the Teutonic anger! II does not matter
why or how or where and wherefore.
Germany has said, NO" and mo" Il
must be. The ship is sunk and the per-
sons on board are murdered. "Krieg ist
Krieg. Die Leute warren gewarnt und
damit Schluss."
And IL you doubt this, read the edi-
torials in such papers as the Kolnische
Zeitung, every time after a particularly
dastardly attack. You will hear all about
the just merits Of the grasplng neutrals
who have refused TO recognize the good
right Of their friendly sister nation, now
engaged upon a momentous struggle for
the freedom of the sea. And you will
hearograve complaints about these same
neutral nations because sometimes they
intern a German submarine which oper-
ates within the half-mile zone. No. the
heterogeneous assassination OF neutraIs
upon the high sea is not due to a few
hasty naval lieutenants, encouraged by
the monetary reward for demolished neu-
trail and hostile tonnage. It seems to
represent the general indignation OF the
entire German people. which feels itself
TO be right, and therefore has divine per-
mission to do anything under heaven
and below hell to accomplish the desired
ends"