New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1917-02-08
WAR IN THE OFFTNG G.

WAR IN THE OFTING.
Latest dispatches from the State
Department at Washington indicate
that the sinking of the Anchor liner
California off the coast of Ireland by
a German submarine is not an overt
act. Just how the State Department
reached this decision is not made
plain but, the American people must
wait until the official explanation is
Forthcoming. The men who are in
charge of the Federal Government
have means of ascertaining the various
circumstances that surround incidents
of this character. The American at
taches of the various embassies and
consular offices abroad are in position
to determine the gravity of each act,
and they forward their information
imm ediat ely to Washington. Since
the sinking of the California is not
considered an overt act by this gov
eminent the declaration of war on
Germany is held off for some future
tAAS
perial German Government, given in
reply to the Sussex note of April 10,
1916, are absolutely violated
The tension is drawing tighter. The
ming to manifest itself, and, judging
from what has already happened in
the past few days. it will not be long
before commander Of a German sub
marine oversteps the bounds Of eau
ton and sinks an American ship with
out warning. thus plunging American
men, women and children into eter-
nifty. When this happens the war will
be on. One overt act on the part of
Germany will command immediate
action. One overt act, the President
told Congress, and, II shall take the
liberty of coming again before the
Congress to ask that authority be
given me to use any means that may
be necessary for the protection of our
seamen and our people and the
prosecution of their peaceful and
legitimate errands on the high seas. I
can do nothing less
If the California was sunk without
warning, it was only matter of good
luck that esta blished it as a ship
which carried contraband of war,
this being the one phase Of the sit
uation that would free the German
commander from crime.
Even then he would be obliged to
look after the safety of non-com-
batants aboard. Whatever may have
happened in this case it is easily seen
that the possibilities Of a disaster are
great. fit is not the California that
will bring on war between the two
ing ships without establishing their
identity is a dangerous business. The
ports of America are filled with
American liners, of American regis,
try, not loaded with contraband.
ready to sail the high seas in the
pursuit Of their peaceful and legiti-
mate business. One or more of
these ships will leave port within the
next few days. They cannot stand
by and bend to the dictates of a
Germany gone mad. Once they point
their prows into the waters of the
Atlantic and start for their European
destinations the fate of this nation
will be placed in the balance The
sinking of one Of these ships. the
loss of one American life through the
! ruthlessness of a German submarine
commander can have only the one
| ending,-War. The President Is
pledged to go before Congress and
| ask for the necessary means to pro-
tect the lives and property of Ameri-
| can citizens. He will be called by the
voice of the nation to live up to his
| words. There can be no backing
| down.