New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-26
A ROAD TO WORLD PEACE
Let the United States Form a League to
Rule Out Submarines
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: The race has made in the past con-
siderable Roadway in the establishment of
international law Piracy on the high seas
has been suppressed, likewise buccaneering,
privateering and later the slave trade. All
these have been put under the ban as prac-
tees no longer to be tolerated BY the civil
lied world.
It so happens that this crude beginning
has taken place with regard to rules of con-
duet upon the high seas. This would ind-
cate that the natural development of inter-
national law is first in regard to the free
dom Of the seas which are common to all.
1t would seem logical that the neat step
in the evolution Of the law would be to ban
ish the submarine. It's purpose is ilegiti-
mate, no matter from what angle it is viewed.
It's blow falls without warning, and if any
are left alive from the torpedo wrath it has
no power to succor them or save them from
a watery grave. The U-boat so broadens the
scope of war that humanity as a whole is
made to feel the effects of its ravages.
The participation of the people of the
United States in the establishment OF the
law against undersea warfare need not be
undertaken on the grounds of enmity tow
ard any people, but rather upon the broad
principle of human rights and lberty-the
foundation of our government. The Ameri-
can people struck the yoke from Cuba's neck;
why not speak up now for rights that affect
entire humanity?
If world peace is ever TO be attained, the
first essential is the absolute freedom of the
seas without submarine or cruiser. The peo-
pie of the United States are facing this ques-
ton, and, being sovereign of themselves, let
them speak. IL is not what our public Off
Gals as incumbents Of Office think-but what
do the people think? Is so damnabe an in
venton as the U-boat to continue as legal
method of warfare on the high seas? The
blood Of the innocent victims of the Lusl-
tania is making mute appeal, not for ven
geance but for action that will eliminate for
all time the possibility of similar fate be-
falling others
This can be accomplished in one way only,
namely, the formation of a federation of ma
tions for the enforcement of international
law. international law applies first to the
high seas, because upon the high one law
should govern all peoples. England would
welcome a federation of this kind with the
United States IL could not be termed an en-
tangling alliance, such as George Washing
ton so ably warned the United States against,
from the TACT tnat no advantage can accrue
to one nation as against another when the
principle contended for is the further extern
sion of liberty and right.
II may be argued that such course would
force the abandonment of the Monroe Doc
trine-well. be it so, if by so doing the ne
cessity Of the Monroe Doctrine would cease
to be- If federation OF nations were
formed to enforce international law it is
safe TO say that the cause Of liberty would
be SO advanced there would be no need of
Monroe Doctrine.
The American people have the opportunity
now to do something bigl They once went
to war to free the people Of a neighboring
isle from the yoke Of bondage. That act
formed unique precedent, as no nation had
ever gone TO war before that time lust for
the purpose Of securing freedom for a neigh
Dor.
The opportunity now is tremendously
greater in importance to humanity. England
is ready. Let the sovereign people speak.
RALPH p. THOMPSON.
Westover. Nd, Jan. %. 1917.