The Alaska daily empire., 1917-02-22
LIKE ANOTHER CRISIS
CW. W. Jermane in Seattle T!mes)

w. w. Inc p-espnt situation in which the United states mus itsei Is similar to that which We faced with fFanc'
 President John Adams at that time severed dip, ruatic relations with France because or the Tepee" nsnIts offered by that country and the depradaton' of Frances cruisers on American commerce M l"y y,ar then being waged between France and EngIahu' but while severng diplomatic relations there was VI" formal declaration of Congress, however "u thorized the raising of army for home defense or
 ered the capture by American warshps Of any frencA vessels committing depradations upon American com merce and authorized the President 10 issue letters O. mar1Ue and reprisal to priyatecrs. These measures were held 10 be short of war
 It is pointed out that the warfare which Tor , d year afterwards existed upon the ocean, m |h!CN American warships and priyateerS engaged m o"'ue with French vessels. has never figured in history as regular war as did our later war %lln EHELanI Ei, " 1872 t is possible that President Wilson nlusei' '" noted historian has in mind the precedent or liSS ID dealing with the present situation created by German! on the ihgh seas
 dons now and in l79S, but after making full allow grce for this difference the thought persists that our experience with France may furnish the President ana Congress a precedent for circumscTiDmS Q cohI'''S with Germany within narrow limits.
 By so doing, it is pointed out, the country might avoid entangements with the alliance of the Allies win Japan and its arreachng war aims that might arouse bitter controversy among our own people ana threaten national unity in dealing with the difficult problems Of peace making which sooner or later mus be taken up for solution.
 The possibility that beigereut friction with Ger could be narrowly COullneu IS ANlltCNAtg DNS' on the reluctance Of Germany to declare war on the United States an attitude remarkably different from that shown in July, 19l4, when Germany interpreter a Russian mobilization as eQCWalchJ 10 ueC'"'@''O" O. war by Russia
 There is found iu this line Of reasoning much com fort for those who will want to restrict as much aS possible a war area into which the United States might be dragged by Germany account of the sub marine frightulncss Congress, it is now believed is not likely to be asked by the President 60 vote a formal declaration of
 Should he feel jmpeled by German undersea ac- tiv;es Co address Congress again. lt is thought that re will probably cite Germanys deeds as hostile blows against our legitimate and ask to be authorized 70 uphold by force American rights in those areas where they are struck down. For such action ,. is pointed out there would be ample precedent in the experiences Ot 179S and hope that, as then any conflict that might would be minimized. In effect. such action the United States might take % protect the citizens D their maritime rights would o2erate to defeat the object of the war zone decree os February l, issued from Berlin. and to maintain commercial intercourse between Great Britain ana America
 In 179S. however. cur action had the necessary es feet of aiding Great Britain against France When BCnapare came into power in 1799, he the error o- antagonIzing America and restored friendly rela. tons Ia line with the pursued by Bonapare i. is held be within of probabilities that short experience in submarine terrorism will convince Berlin that the U-bOat warfare puSheI beyond all considerations of law and mercy is not yielding returns sufficiently important to warrant full break and consequent hOStite5 with the United States.
 The armirg of American merchant vessels, which is believed sure come would, it is asserted, help Germany to arrive at this conclusion.