The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1917-02-22
A DEMAND FOR ACTION.

There is increasing evidence from many
quarters of a decline in the spirit of
patriotism in this country. If like
sentiment had prevailed at the time of
the Revolution there would have been no
Boston tea party and the United States
would not have come into existence. If
it had prevailed in the 40's, what is now
the great State of Texas would today be
Mexican territory. If it had prevailed
during the Civil War this country would
have been divided into North and South,
and perhaps East and West. What has
caused the loss of the spirit which had
made the country the greatest and most
prosperous the world has ever known?
The diving out of the families of the
early patriots, the large influx of for
eigners, who dominate in some of the
larger cities, the teachings Of the
German propaganda, through subsidized
newspapers, personal and public utter
ances, Bryan and his peace-at-any- price
followers, and the cry He kept US out
of war" on which the national election
last November WIS carried.
Giving President Wilson credit for the
hest intentions, the course he has taken
to keep the country out of war has
brought US to the verge of war with
Germany and placed Us IN Illuminating
position in the eyes of the world. Two
wears ago an ultimatum was presented
to Germany, of which she has not taken
the slightest heed, and this country has
submitted to insult after insult, injury
after injury, of which no notice has been
taken beyond an occasional Note. Final
ly relations with Germany were broken
because of instructions given to her u
boat commanders to sink unfortunately
all shipping that did not conform to the
rules she laid down for navigating the
high seas and entering neutral ports.
Yet Austria, which stands with Ger
many in this U-boat campaign. still re-
tains her relations with this country and
there seems to be no intention at Wash
ington of severing them.
The Democratic Brooklyn Eagle in an
editorial captioned Prompt Action is
Imperative" expresses its disapproval,
as it has in former articles, of the
''watchful waiting" policy at Washing
tor, and in so doirg we believe voices the
ill l.
well says: mo one at this critical juno
ture would wish TO hurry the Admins
tration into rash or precipitate step.
But the Administration has already gone
far enough to indicate at least leaning
toward a policy which, if formally and
emphatically declared, would secure some
measure of safety to American commerce
and revive the dropping self-respect of
American citizens. An official state
ment from Washington, issu led on Feb
ruary 7th, contained these W rds:"
1t 1.-THE GOVERNMENT, however, asserts
that the rights of American vessels to
traverse all parts of the high seas are
the same now as they were prior to the
issuance VI inc ll0il uSSk1 dLioiI, anu
that a neutral merchant vessel may, if
its owners believe that it is liable TO be
unawfully attacked, take any measures
TO prevent or resist such attacks.
The Eagle says further that if this
meant anything at al! it meant that Amer
lean shipowners might put guns on their
craft and employ gunners whose duty it
submarines. But shipowners have been
unable to buy guns in the open market
or obtain gunners, and the Eagle con-
tends that the arming must be done with
the open encouragement of the Govern
ment, which should supply both the guns
and the gunners. 1t says in conclusion:
Nothing would so hearten the Nation,
nothing would so swiftly convince Ger
many that her inhuman blockade decree
is doomed to failure so far as American
commerce is Concerned as blunt declara-
ton from Washington that the freedom
of the seas would be fought for by Amer
lean merchant ships. Unless such a de-
claration shall be speedily Forthcoming,
Germany will have succeeded in imprison-
ing American shipping in American har-
bors without the expense Of even few
torpedoes. The blockade of England is
one thing. The blockade of. the United
States under the savage threat of
wholesale murder directed against our
citizens is another. The Administration
should answer that threat more strongly
than it has SO far done. 1t should answer
in such fashion that our purpose will not
be misunderstood by the practiced as
sassins directing the submarine cam.
paign, nor by the spineless towards and
traitors among our own people who are
giving aid and comfort to Germany by
protesting against any assertion of the
rights she is tramplipg under foot.
Congress in joint session Feb. 18th
canvassed the electoral vote and Wilson
was formally declared reelected. The
suspense is now over and YOU can settle