The Washington herald., 1917-03-20
Editors Believe Nation
Faces War Declaration

at least one of them without warning.
Last week the american steamship AL
SonQuin was sunk.
The facts must be accepted as they
are. Without a declaration of war
Germany is making war on the United
States. One hostile act follows close
on the heels of another. No doubt
more American ships will be sunk in
the same way that four have been
within the last week. No possible
room can exist for questioning Ger
many's avowed purpose to send to the
bottom every ship its submarines can
reach.
Congress will not meet until April
16. Outwardly the United States main
tains an attitude of neutrality, although
its ships are daily subject to the at
tacks of enemy warships. This is war
by the act of Germany. When Con-
gress meets it must deal with the sit
uation frankly and effectively, as Ger
many's policy and overt acts require
Demands Declaration of War.
New York Tdbunel
Germany knows exactly what she is
doing when she attacks our merchant
vessels. She is making war on the
United States. She intended to make
war on the United States when she
issued her latest war zone proclamation
She is acting on the theory that war
exists.
Our government, on the contrary, is
acting on the theory that the two coun-
tries are still at peace. German war
vessels fire on our flag. destroy our ship
ping. and kill our citizens. We do not
respond in kind, but merely supply Amer
lean ships with guns and gunners with
which to defend themselves against the
individual German submarine command
erS.
This is an anomalous situation and one
which cannot long persist. To be at
war and not be at war rs impossible alike
in law and reason.
When Congress meets it should be its
first duty to make a declaration of war
against Germany. Such action will mere
ly recognize a condition already long
existent.
Asks If Wilson Is Convinced.
New York SUM-
President Wilson, announcing to Con-
gress on February that he had sever
ed diplomatic relations with Germany be-
cause of the withdrawal by Berlin of
its promise to conduct war in civilized
fashion, said:
Notwithstanding this unexpected &C
ton of the German government. this
SuuCen ana ueeply OeplOFaDle TenuHCld-
ton of its assurances given this gov
crnment at one OF the most critical mo-
ments of tension in the relations of
the two governments. l refuse to believe
that il is the intention of the German
authorities to do in fact what they have
warned US they will feel at liberty to do.
Il cannot bring myself to believe that
they will indeed pay no regard to the
ancient friendship between their people
and our own or to tie solemn obliGa-
tions which have been exchanged be-
tween them. and destroy American ships
and take the lives of American citizens
in the wilful prosecution Of the ruth
less naval program they have announced
their intention to adopt.
"Only actual overt acts on their part
can make me believe II even now
The incidents of the last six weeks
have been Germany's answer to this gen.
erous incredulity. Yesterday brought
news Of the sinking of three more Amer
lean ships in violation of American
rights. in contempt of International law.
and in defiance OF every principle of
humanity.
Is President Wilson still doubtful of