FAIR WORDS AND FOUL DEEDS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2975, 12 January 1917, Page 4

FAIR WORDS AND FOUL DEEDS

"Out with tho U boats!" With these words,' so wo are informed by a cablegram which appears in another column, a German politician concluded, "amid enthusiasm," » speech at Hanover. Tho speaker is evidently one of those who aro foolish enough to imagine that the Tiupitz policy of submarine frightfulness will strike terror into British hearts, and perhaps induco tho Allies to reconsider their refusal to talk peace with Germany. But for months past the German submarine campaign has been' carried on with the utmost ruthlcs. l *- ness, and without the slightest regard to tho laws of civilised warfare. The U boats are already out. Tho pirates are doing their murderous work with all their might The only limitation to their criminal acts appears to bo that imposed by lack of opportunity and lack of power. They could not'do much more even with von Tirpitz hounding them on. But the Germans arc now madly clamouring for more knd still more frightfulness at sea.. They have lashed themselves in a frenzy of recklessness. This demand that tho submarines should bo urged to run amuck and indulge -nuthout restraint in indiscriminate slaughter is another example of German ;. fraud and falsity. It- is utterly at variance with a statement mado by tho German representative at the Hague Conference. With regard to tho use of mines tho British representatives objected to German methods as they would be hard on noutrals. Baron Marschall, speaking for Germany, replied as follows : —

Military action is not solely governed l>y the stipulntoi's of international law. There are other facts, conscience, good sense, ami that feeling of the duties imposed by the principles of humanity will lio the. unrest ffimlo for tho comlnct of flio sailors, nnd will afford the most effcetivo KiiaranlPG Hgniiist abuse Tho officers of tho German navy, I proclaim it loudly, will always fulfil in the strictest manner tho duties which result from the unwritten law of humanity and civilisation.

Tho contrast between these fait words and deeds of the German submarines makes it inane*sible to place the slightest trust 'in any assurances that Germany may offer for good behaviour in the future. "What are wo to say of a nation," asks Mb. Balfoub, "that makes that speech through the mouth of its chosen representative at an assembly of the uations to consider international law, and only «. few years afterwards strikes medals for tho LusilaniaV What,, indeed!