New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-28
Seize the Ships!

At the present time there arc IN Ameri-
can waters something like 100000 tons OF
German merchant marine. Germany is
making war upon the United States, and
these ships may easily become one OF the
deciding factors in this war. which is now
going forward. German submarine policy
is predcated on the assumption that Great
Britain can be starved into submission
within the next six months. To accom-
plish this end. the Germans have sunk
American ships and murdered American
citizens without regard to treaty, interna-
tional law or the precepts Of humanity.
If Great Britain is starved into submits
sion within the next six months the United
States will then have to face the full fury
and the full weight of German force and
German strength. The sole bulwark be-
tween this country and the German En-
pire, with which it is in fact at war, is the
British fleet.
How much longer will the Administra-
ton at Washington permit Germans to
render useless that tonnage which, seized,
repaired and put to work, may contribute
materially 10 the defeat of that submarine
policy which has already resulted in the
murder of Americans and the creation of
a condition Of war between the United
States and Germany?
Have American citizens forgotten the
puerile phrases Of the present Secretary
OF War a few weeks ago, when German
crews began disabling German ships? At
that time Secretary Baker said:
THE breach of relations between the
United States and Germany has not
changed the relations of these ships or
their crews to the government of the
United States, or forfeited their rights to
our hospitality; and also, that Gin all
cases the commanders and crews have been
informed that the Government of the
United States has made no seizures.
claims no rights to the vessels and does
not deny the right of the commanders to
dismantle the ships if they see fit, so long
as the destruction is done in such way
as not to endanger navigable waters or in
iure other property"
This was said in the face of the settled
policy of Germany to murder American
citizens and destroy American ships. That
policy has now been expressed in acts. We
are now face to face with war. Does Sec
rotary Baker still insist that the German
ships "have not forfeited their right to
our hospitality? Is murder no bar to
hospitality? And must we entertain rat
tlesnakes as the serpent was entertained
in Esop's fable?
is not the time somewhere near at hand
when those who are in charge of our desti-
MES are to face facts and put aside the
visions and the phrases of the Bryanic
period? German policy has envisaged the
murder Of Americans and the sinking of
American ships as detail in crushing
Great Britain. We have, in fact, chal-
lenged that policy and now are about to
fight. Are we going to fight with words
only?
Is it not about time that the fact was
perceived that if Great Britain is defeated
in the present war the United States will
pay the costs TO Germany of the world
struggle? Is it not perceived that a VIC
torious Germany will be in a position to
make her own terms with this country?
And if Great Britain is not to be de-
feated there must be a defeat Of the Ger
man submarine policy. This policy can
only be defeated by the mobilization Of all
the available tonnage in this country and
the transport Of food and supplies TO Great
Britain and 10 France.
Mr.. Bakers berefcent attitude has al
ready permitted the Germans to cripple
their ships here so completely that it has
been estimated that it will take six months
10 put them in service. Does Mr.. Baker
mean 10 pursue his policy until the Ger
mans are allowed 10 destroy their ships
absolutely and this weapon against Ger
man aggression il lost permanently?
The United States government should
without delay seize the German ships in