The Outlook 1916-01-19

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The Outlook JANUARY 19, 1916 Offices, 381 Fourth Avenue, New York The dominant importance of the next few months in American history can hardly be overestimated. Nationally and in the several States political and legislative action of supreme intercst is imminent, the Presidential campaign, the proposals before Congress, the issues growing out of the war—all will occupy attention and demand interpretation. It ts with this in view that The Outlook has engaged as a member of its staff, from February 1 to July 1, ex-Senator Frederick M. Davenport, of New York. Mr. Davenport will furnish a series of letters and articles from Washington and other centers, giving an impartial account of the National activities and policies of the Presidential year. The progress of the Presidential pre-nomination campaign will be the most important of the large National subjects treated. The Outlook believes that no other writer and student of affairs ts better equipped than Mr. Davenport for this difficult task. Asa Republican Senator in the New York Legis- lature, as Progressive candidate for Lieutenant-Governor in 1912 and for Governor in 1914, as Professor of Law and Politics in Hamilton College, and from wide travel throughout the country, he has had that kind of intimate knowledge of public men and public affairs that gives po:sc, moderation, and fairness to his discussion of serious questions. Readers of The Outlook know also that he can make such dis- cussions readable, human, and concrete, as was abundan ly shown in his special correspondence for The Outlook in the Barnes-Roosevelt lawsuit and in his series of articles descriptive of social, economic, ard political contitions in the Western States whitch appeared in The Outlook under the general title “On the Trail of Progress and Reaction.” —TuHeE Epirors. considerations has been the safety of unof- fending non-combatants on such ships. But Germany has contended, and so far as we can see still contends, that she may violate this basic rule, and incidentally kill Ameri- cans, unoffending men, women, and children, if only she sets up the excuse that it is done in reprisal. Until Germany recedes from this position all rejoicings at Washington are premature and vain. More ¢han this, the history of recent submarine warfare shows that what is needed from the ‘Teuton nations, as well as from our Administration, is not declaration or discussion, but action. So THE STORY OF THE WAR: SUBMARINE WARFARE— THEORY AND PRACTICE While academic discussion of international law continues between the diplomats of America and Germany, the submarine war- fare also continues—one imperfect summary shows that fifty-nine vessels were destroyed by submarines in the Mediterranean in six weeks, some -no doubt legitimately, others not; another puts the number at seventy- two. The optimists in Washington, as we write (January 12), assert that our Govern- ment has all but come to an understanding with the German Government as to what was, what is, and what shall be international law and practice in this form of warfare. There is not,.and never has been, apy room to question the principles of international law as to stopping, searching, seizing, and, under certain very closely. defined limitations, de- stroying merchant véssels. Above all other long as merchant ships continue to be sunk without warning, whether by Germans, by Austrians, or by Turks, mere argument is worthless. Applying these primary principles to the Note handed in to our Department of State recently by the German Ambassador, we find that the three declarations made do not touch 109