New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-09
ARM THE SHIPS!
Why the President Should Act Forthwith to
Protect Our Flag at Sea
n Tho Editor Of The Tribune.

10 the EDITOR OF ne lllDNHN'
Sir: There seem to be two opinions as 10
the right Of the President 70 provide for the
arming Of American merchant vessels about
10 encounter danger in the barred zone OF
the European waters. The opinion OF MI
Griggs that Chapter Of the Revised stat
utes containing Sections 1928 to 429s contem-
plates piracy in the sense in which II was
understood in 1919 may be technically cor
rect. but with the country behind him the
President would be warranted in acting upon
the language of Section 1924, which must, OF
course, be read with Section 1925. 1t author
ICES the President 70 instruct the command
crs of public armed vessels Of the United
States to subdue. seize, take and send into
any port of the United States "any armed YES
sci or boat, or any vessel or boat the crew
whereof shall be armed and which shall nave
attempted or committed any piratlcal ag-
erosion upon any vessel OF the United States
or the citizens thereof or upon any other
vessel
The next section authorizes merchant yes
sells to resist by opposing and defending
against any aggression, search, restraint
depredations or seizure which shall be at
tempted upon such vessel by the
commanders or crew Of any armed vessel
whatsoever not being public armed vessel
OF some nation in amity with the United
States" and may subdue the same.
Mr.. Beck has made perfectly clear By his
address in Carnegie Hall that Germany is not
in amity with the United States. nation
against whom a proclamation of armed neu-
trality has been made is not in amity with
the United States. A nation with whom we
have broken off diplomatic relations IS not IN
amity with the United States. nation as
to which it is now publicly debated as to
whether we are at war or not IS not IN amlty
with the United States.
Proceeding to the next point, "piratcal ag-
oression." II is perfectly obvious that the
submarines sinking without warning mer-
chant vessels containing non-combatants and
without even an inquiry as to whether or not
they contain contraband could by the mere
device Of a proclamation Of the President be
declared to be committing "piratical aggres-
sions."
In the days when Mr.. Roosevelt was Presi-
dent of the United States ne incurred consid-
cradle criticism by doing the right thing IN
the wrong way. He exceeded his constltu-
tional powers by executive order but the peo-
ple were behind him. His acts in relation 10
Panama were undoubtedly ultra wires, at
least they were so criticised at the time and
subsequently,, but every American was pleased
and proud at the results Mr.. Wilson, in the
present state of the public mind. with sym
pathy and approval of any forceful and virlle
conduct simply aching to be expressed, could
bv an order whether based upon an actual
statute or not have the country behind him,
and the rights Of Americans would be at least
safeguarded to degree.
II is earnestly 10 be hoped that the Presi-
dent will take this stand without further de-
lay. In his inimitablc allegory OF "Pil-
grim's Progress" John Bunyan pointed out,
after describing the dvagation of the Pill
grim and his companion along the soft and
grassy way Of By-path Meadow, landing them
both in the dungeon Of Doubling Castle. in
the grip of Giant Despair that when they
had finally used their long-forgotten key they
found no short cut back TO the narrow way, but
had to retrace their steps to the point where
they had depressed; and that is what the Ad-
mnistration has got to do. and this, if now
done, will assure TO the President a confidence
and Endorsement of the country in a manner
and in a measure not otherwise conceivable.
But if he must find a statutory warrant for
the exercise Of his every power or the per-
Torrance OF any affirmative, positive and
American act, he has remedy at hand which
he should not neglect to USE and that is the
prompt summoning OF the new Congress IN
extra session. HENRY W. JESSUP.
New York, March 6, 1917.
F. s.
"Twice armed is he who hath his quarrel just,
But thrice armed he who gets his blow in
fust."