The Taihape Daily Times AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1915. COMMON-SENSE REPRISALS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 240, 30 June 1915, Page 4

The Taihape Daily Times AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1915. COMMON-SENSE REPRISALS.

(With, which ia incorporated The Taihape Post € x&& Waimarino Newi.)

A few days ago cable advices apprised us. of yet another breaking away from old-time war usages. Surprise after surprise has been caused by the shattering from time' to time, during the present war, a good deal of what was considered sacred. In fact, So many

new precedents have been established by our enemies that it seems quite reasonable that the Allies might profitably take a hand. It seems only poetic justice that one branch of national law and agreement should involve, or be met, with another; therefore, Italy's decision to take compensation from interned enemy ships and enemy property for the inhuman bombardment of defenceless towns, women and children, has met with little adverse comment in any neutral nation. Italy is undoubedly [justified in adopting this practical course; property is certainly no more sacred than life, and if it is right for our enemies to brutally destroy women, children, and other non-combat-ant life, it cannot be far wrong to exact compensation.and make reprisal by confiscating property which, by the fortunes of war, fall into their hands. Italy has ordered that compensation be taken from Austrian ships or property confiscated when' war -was declared. Italy is not waiting for indemnity for the destruction of her life and property till war ends; she is taking it now, and owing to the casting overboard of Hague Convertious and everything that is -considered humane, and honourable, there seems very little to be said why the Allies should not adopt a similar 'course. We have a shipping famine while hundreds of fine ocean boats are huddled together rusting through in internment; we are assisting Germany'a submarine blockade-by a sense of honour bordering orf. the Gilbertianj -We cannot get food and stores.;into-Britain. ■ u&-*-we/ desire "Germany has; paused us a shortage of ships. Germany, lias shelled absolutely undefen%ive towns, destroyed, in large numbers,, n.-iu-cqinVjiMKif ]i<>\ so* fir*' fo property.'-

all directly opposed to tlie highest possible laws Why does Britain not seek relief and bloodless compensation by annexing for her own use and needs the numbers of fine boats already lying to her hand in her own harbours? Nothing seems more resasonablo or just. . Compensation at the temination may mean nothing compared with what it would mean if taken now in the way that Italy has adopted. The understood, pre-war, legal aspect is, of course, that all interned ships and seized goods, not contraband, are the property of the nation to whom they belonged only held till the conclusion o war and terms of peace are discussed. But this conflict has created so many new precedents and shattered so many solemn laws that justification for any acts seem to depend merely on circumstances. Shelling unfortified towns and the destruction of civilian life is contrary to international law; so is the seizure of interned ships and confiscated property; but if one, why not the other? Britain lacks the progressiveness of Germany. Germany is not going to allow any preconceived notion of what is right or wrong interfere with her success in the conduct of this war. Britain is knocked breathless by Germany's enterprise; not so our new Ally, who is proving herself a mst for the enemy's enterprise and progressiveness respecting international law and its observance. Our enemies, it is plain, have established a new law, the predominating feature of which is that everything and anything is fair in war. Britain may, or may not, wake up to this' new aspect of things by and by, but, in the meantime we must, while hundreds of ships lie rotting and Germany continues to destroy unarmed merchantmen, oceanh liners involving the loss of thousands of lives, suffer it all with its attendant inconveniences, and cotiue to guard and care for her property held by us so that we may return it in good order ' and condition when the war ends