Evening star., 1918-06-08
Germany and Reprisals.

Germany's request, virtually de-
mand, that the United States release
Franz Won Rintelen, now confined in a
federal prison in this country for plot
ting to destroy ships and munitions
plauts, on pain of reprisal upon a
naturalized citizen of this coun-
try, now held under prison SEN
tence in Germany for espionage
in behalf of Russia, is a piece
of impudence that deserves the en-
phatic refusal accorded by the Secre-
tary of State. There can no traffick-
ing with Germany in the matter of
prisoners convicted under our civil
laws. Certainly there can be none on
fhe basis Of threats of reprisals.
Won Rintelen's offense against the
United States was fragrant and far
graver than the sentence administered
10 him. indicated. Had he been an
American, caught doing in Germany
what he did here, he would most GER
tainly have been executed. He was
the master plotter for Germany dur
ing the months of our neutrality. 1t
was charged against him that he
sought to foment. seditious movements
here, planned strikes in munitions
plants, schemed the destruction of prop
erty, sought to sink ships carrying
American passengers and goods. His
6ispatching to this country on that
mission was in itself an offense against
the United States by the government
at Berlin that would have warranted a
breach of relations had there been no
other cause.
Now to ask, virtually to demand, his
release on pain of reprisals against
Americans held in Germany is charac-
teristie of German impudence There
could be no other answer than that
given by Secretary Lansing. Not even
the threat that persons be taken and
made to suffer" because the govern
ment Of the United States is .appar-
emily not cognizant of its interna-
tional obligations toward a German
subject" moves rs to mercy. In his
rejection of this shameless proposal
Secretary Lansing properly declares
that the United States refuses to recog-
nize the principle of reprisals occa-
sioning physical suffering to enforce
demands from. one belligerent TO an
other. But he points out that at would
be wise" for Germany to consider that
if it acts on that principle at will in
evitably be understood to invite simi-
lar reciprocal action by the United
States with respect to the great num-
hers of German subjects in this coun-
try"
For every American held in Ger
many there are scores, perhaps hun
Greds, maybe thousands, Of Germans
held here. If Germany starts the re-
prisal business we are in a position to
carry it on with much more effect than
Germany. There is, indeed, a growing
feeling in this country that the Ger
mans now held interned in comfortable
camps should be less considerably
treated. Decision by our government
to visit punishments through them
upon Germany for the reprisaIs insti-
tuted by that government would be
hailed with approval by the majority
of our people. Indeed, there is a dis
tinct sentiment in favor Of declaring
to Germany that the German subjects
now held here as prisoners shall be re-
garded as hostages against further
barbarisms committed by Germany in
the war, such as the bombardment of
hospitals and hospital ships.
Germany may elect to start the proc
ess of rerrisal. If so, the United
States is in position, however reluc-
family, to exact life for life, or double
measure.