The Dominion TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1916. MURDER ON THE HIGH SEAS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2660, 4 January 1916, Page 6

The Dominion TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1916. MURDER ON THE HIGH SEAS

It is not surprising that the torpedmag of tho P. and O. liner Persia .has created a great sensation in Ktc United States. For deliberate and callous brutality tho outrage rivals the sinking of tho Lusitania. AH the dictate of international law upon which the American Government has laid so much stress 4 have been violated in tho , lr.osfc wanton manner. The. vessel was torpedoed without warning and sank in five minutes. The victims included manv women and little children-murder-ed in the taost cold-blooded manner. Among those ivho lost their lives was an American Consul. Can the Washington authorities permit one of their own officials to be wilfully murdered while travelling in a lawful manner and on lawful business 1 The Austrian Government had just explained away the Ancona outrage, and promised to make some sort of reparation. The American Government, as usual, announced its willingness to accept the explanation, but signified its intention to send a further Note insisting that merchantmen should bo given due warning before being torpedoed. Then comes this new act of piracy and murder. The Austrians are, of course, fully aware of the views of the United States regarding submarine attacks on passenger steamers, •they know,all about the controversy with Germany 'relating to the sinking of the Lusitania What is the good of further argument 1 It is not surprising that many Americans arc getting tired of these paper battles. They know that protests are not likely to have much effect unless the offender has good reason to believe that there is some power behind thern. Events which have taken place during the_ present war have made it quite evident that Germany and Austria will not pay serious attention to words, however strong, which are not likely to bo backed up by deeds. They are not tho Sort of people to be intimidated by blank' cartridge. They will treat with cynical indifference the protests of a nation that has shown itself content to confine itself to words. The people of the United States no dorbt have realised long ere this that the Central Powers are playing' with America. "How many more murders of women and children," asks the New York Tribune, "are needed to convince the nation that there is no escape from the duty of action in mere words and inquiries?"

The United States is in a much better position to hit back at Austria than at Germany. Austrian influence in America is not nearly so strong as Gorman. The United States has widespread social, intellectual, and commercial connections with Germany, and the Government finds it desirable to walk very warily when trouble arises with Berlin. It would not bo anything like ko serious a matter to have a rupture with Austria, and it is quite possible that President Wilson may show his resentment at the Persia outrage in a much more emphatic and effective manner than he did when the Lusitania, Ealaba, and Arabic were sunk by German submarines. It is stated that this renewal of "the war upon tho_ kindergarten" has _ aroused the United States Administration as never before, and that the news has "stunned America." This sort of statement has grown familiar with use, and is not likely to impress anyone overmuch. The United States authorities apparently are too stunned to act, and words count for little. Outrage has been piled upon outrage, and the authorities at Washington pen long Notes and pro-, tests and make pretence of believing that German and Austrian professions of readiness to mend their ways are sincere. It is a pitiable spectacle. Commenting on the Ancona incident one American paper asked, "How long, 0 Lord, how long" will the Administration be content with words while Americans arc killed? It was felt that the limit of enduranos had been reached when the Ancona was torpedoed, and now that crime has been overshadowed by the worst tragedy sincc the Lusitania. This fresh butchery of innocent people, including an American Consul, may convince Washington of the futility of another discussion on the nicotics ■of international law, but who can tell?