The Washington times., 1917-03-13
WHEN DOES WAR BEGINp

Formally, the United States is now
an armed neutral, armed. however.
against one of the nations of Europe
whose submarine warfare has de-
scended to the level of piracy. The
question when the state of armed
neutrality will be changed to one of
belligerency is an interesting one.
While, constitutionally, Congress
alone has power to declare war, when
the formal declaration is made by
this country, practically the matter
is largely in the hands of the Ex-
ecutive. The Constitution confers
large powers and wide discretion
upon the President as Commander
in-Chief of the American army and
navy. Navy rules and regulations
also give considerable power to ini-
tiate a conflict to naval officers, as
witness the demand of Admiral
Mayo at Tampico for proper salute
to the flag, a demand which, if not
backed up by the Commander-in-
Chief, would have resulted in utter
Generalization of naval discipline.
Of course, Germany can declare
war at any time. But the long pc
riod that elapsed before she made
war upon Italy after Italy had
begun the advance against Austria,
may indicate that she prefers to put
the burden upon the United States
if she can maneuver her case Alright.
The clash between an armed Ameri-
can merchantmen and German sub
marine may come at any time. The
sinking of submarine might be con-
sidered an act of war. On the other
hand. merchant vessel is subject to
visit and search by the ships of a
belligerent nation, and may elect to
yield to that right, to escape by
flight, or to attack the belligerent
vessel. 1t might possibly be the
circumstances attending the sinking
of another American vessel by a sub
marine that would decide the ques-
tion of war for the United States,
though any armed clash now will
probably be like the firing on Fort
Sumter, or the shot that was heard
around the world.
Speaking generally, public opin-
ion in the United States has settled
down to the conviction that war with
Germany, now would be for the in
terests of the United States as we'll
as for the sake OF humanity and civ
ilization. Reluctance to enter the
war has diminished to the vanishing
point. Germany has become reck-
less or desperate and seems to have
discounted the effect of the entrance
upon the war on the part of the
United States. She probably over
estimates the ability of Germans in
the United States to make trouble
and underestimate the enormous
weight that would be thrown into the
scale when the human and material
resources of this nation are enlisted
on the side of the allies.
In such a situation. war may be
precipitated at any moment. The
President has it largely in his own
hands to make such a revelation of
German intrigue and enmity within
and without our borders as would
rouse the country and compel a dec
laration of war by Congress. His
marked self-restraint in former mes
sages and in his inaugural address
may have been for the sake of ade.
quate preparation for the inevitable.
Any notable outrage by GERMANY
would precipitate a declaration of
war by Congress in the present state
of the public temper, with or without
the Presidents interference. But we
may be in actual warfare before Con-
gress will meet. The American, peo-
pie are awaiting the event with COOL
ness and philosophy. .