South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-03-15

+ prevent neighbor neutrals receiv-
ing any food or favors at the hands
OF the United States and its assO-
ciates in the war and 20 coerce these
neutrals through starvation into po-
iitical and economic dependency
upon Germany quite as much as to
strike at the communications OF its
opponents - Germany's ostensibla
aim in proclaiming the ruthless
submarine campaign.
DOg-in-thc- Manager.
Further indications tend 10 show
that the submarines are being used.
along similar dog-in-the-mange
/ lines. TO destroy neutral shipping
without regard 20 its employment IN
order 10 weaken prospective neu-
trail competitors after the war and
20 drag down neutral tonnage as
far as possible toward a position Of
equality Cor inferiority) with the
German mercantile marine. which
has lost between 40 and so per cent
Of its ocean tonnage, so that the
neutral trader may be equally as
badly off as his German rival FOR
tonnage in the after the war race
FOR commerce.
NO other Interpretation can be
placed, for example upon the re-
peated instances Of destruction OF
neutral Danish ships on voyages
between Iceland and the Danish
mother country entirely outside OF
the war zone nor upon the multi
tudinous mistakes by which Dutch
and other neutral ships clinging %
the precari0us narrow way left open
through the prohibited zone are
torpedoed outside the zone by L.
boat commanders. whose word
that the vessels were within the
zone is later accepted unquestioned
10y the German prize courts. Promi-
nent ship owners i'm scandinavian
countries have stated their behes
that many sinkings were inspired
only by the intention 10 get rid Of
neutral tonnage so as TO increase
the relative value OF German ship
ping available at the end OF the
war. Examinations Of the captains
Of torpedoed ships before the ma
rine courts in these countries bear
out this belief. the testimony re
peatedly showing that vessels were
attacked far outside the zone.
Keep Food From Neutrals.
The intent Of the Germans 10
prevent neutrals receiving food and
supplies under relief agreements
concluded with the United States is
/ illustrated by the German veto
} placed upon the temporary modus
r-fv- II =,
the provisioning OF that country.
Two food ships loaded With supplies
for the Netherlands along with II
I Belgian relief ships have been wait
ing in American ports for weeks IN
able TO sail because Of the refusal
of Germany 10 permit an equivalent
amount Of tonnage leaving Dutch
/ harbors. the obvious plan OF the
German authorities being TO gather
all Dutch ships into home harbo-s
and then prevent any Of them sail
ing by threats to torpedo any vessel
/ leaving Holland waters. To relieve
the food situation in Holland the
war trade board has finally author
lied the frans-shipment OF the food
in question from the two Dutca
I
Amsterdam, which is sailing shor.-
".
The present campaign Of threats
and intimidation against the Scandi-
navian neutrals now carried on II
I the semi-official North German Ca.
letter and other organs of the G err
man press is obviously intended to
brighten he northern neutrals from
completing agreements which bene-
fit the ncutrals quite as much as
the United States and its associ-
ates
New Policy of Ruthlessncss.
Now success of the earnest eff.
forts Of the United States govern
ment TO rush shipments of bread
grain 10 Switzerland is threatened
by the action of German subma-
rines which. according to now fully
confirmed reports from Switzerland
have made a start on a new policy
of ruthlessness by sinking the neu-
trail Spanish steamer SardinerO Sc
cured with great difficulty TO carr,
food To that country. The torpedo
ing Of the Cardinero, carrying near
Ia 1000 tons of cereals for Switzer-
land. can by no stretch of the mag
ination be brought within the scope
of Germany's proclaimed submarine
policy. since the vessel was engaged
not in an enemy but in a supposed
Is safe trade for a neutral state
was enroute 10 the port which Ger
many had explicitly promised 20
leave open for a safe passage and
was torpedoed outside the prohibit
ed zone.
ITO add 10 the deliberateness OF
the offense. the Sardinero was de-