New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-28
Warlike Steps
Justifable for
Armed Neutrals
international Law Considers
Action Warning That Ma
ton Will Defend Rights
Can Lay U-Boat Mines
Guns on Merchant Ships, Con"
voys and Destruction 0.
Enemy Vessels Permissible
IRON The rdbuls EUraul

Wasnihg on, Feb. 27.--Armed neu-
trality proclaimed by ration is warn
ing TO all belligerents that the country
50 armed stands ready to fight in de-
fence OF its rights. and will fight for
their preservation, though Il is unwil-
ling to ac' jointly with either Of the
bellige-ents and Il not directly con-
cerret with the objects OF the war.
Armed neutrality mas also be de-
seribed rs nation determination to
engage IN hostilitiss With the belliger'
cnt threatening Is interests, as dis
t;nct from Us rights. as measure
short of recognition Of The existence
Of state of war. although in reality
a state o: war might exist.
There are many war.ike steps au-
tkorized by international law "hich
neu.rals might take without actually
departing from their neutrah'y. me
measures contemplate by armed Heu-
trality. however, exceed those a, neu-
trail nation would proclaim under or
binary conditions and they generaiiy
Indicate that the neutral alopting them
is preparing itself for participation in
the war.
Measures Justified by Law
Among the measures whicn the
armed neutrality you'd make adviS-
able, and which would be justiiied py
international law, and in the instances
n the United States by its interest,""
threatened and actually attacked oy
Germany in her submarine operations
are:
1. Laying Of contact mines on the
American coasts for the destruction OIL
German submarines and other COM
oerce raiders. The United states
would have 10 give notice to mariners
In advance and communicate It's de-
cision TO other governments ne ny
ING of such mines wolld not have 10
be restricted to the American marine
belt of three miles.
2 Effectual arming OF merchantmen.
The size of the guns and the numoer
nav not be restricted in the case OF
neutral. for, being at peace, the onIy
object of the armament would DC LUZ
defence.
q Furnishing of conveys for Amerl-
can trading ships. If American vessels
arc not TO remain "timidly' lnside
American waters, they must be arneu
or have naval conveys furnished TO
them. Conveys in all probability would
be composed of destroyers, as they are
by American naval experts
to be best adapted to the special ser
vice. 1t is not doubted here that the
furnishing of naval conveys, while law
full. would lead Immediately to war.
Destruction of Submarines
A. Employment Of the navy to de-
stroy the war vessels making war upon
American commerce in violation OF the
rules of international law. This meas
ure would require redisposltion OF
the American naval forces, and author-
ize the capture or destruction OF Ger
man submarines approaching or enter
ing American territorial waters or WIS
ting the steamer lanes used by Ameri-
can merchant ships.
3. Place guards upon every German
owned snip in American territorial and
insular waters to prevent the destruc-
ton Of the ships or any activities
aboard them which might jeopardize
either the interests or the neutrality OF
the country.
6. Seizure and expulsion from the
country of German subjects or other
aliens suspected of rendering service
to Germany which might prejudice the
interests of the United States, or who
may be assisting attacks upon Ameri-
can commerce.