The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1916. GERMANY'S LATEST FRIGHTFULNESS.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 October 1916, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1916. GERMANY'S LATEST FRIGHTFULNESS.

Whatever may be Germany's real object in sending one or more commerce-raid-ing submarines to American waters theve can be no doubt that the exploits of the U53 have created a sensation, not wholly devoid of alarm. There seems to be an impression that two submarines are at work destroying vessels close tJ the American shore, but the accounts hitherto received are so deficient in details that it is impossible to arrive at any conclusion as to the exact locality where the raiding has taken place. Ascording to the captain of the Nantucket lightship, nine vessels were sunk on Sunday, though only six names have been obtained, The most curious and inexplicable feature of the raids is the presence of large numbers of American destroyers. In one instance they are said to have been so thick that the cap tain of the raider had to request the withdrawal of some of the craft in order to give him space to blow up his prey without injuring any of the destroyers. These destroyers have been of service in rescuing the victims of German ferocity, but the part of the business that seems enshrouded in doubt is whether the raids were made outside the territorial limit. Presumably they were, otherwise the American destroyer* would have taken a hand to prevent a manifest breach of neutrality. On the other hand, if the raids have been on the open sea why have not the Allies warships, of which it is stated there are three off Nantucket, put an end to the raider's career? Hitherto the Atlantic has enjoyed comparative freedom from submarine raids, and ships have gone to and returned from American in large numbers. Manifestly it is in the interest of the United States to prevent a blockade of her ports, and that, in effect, is what a German submarine campaign off the American . coast means, but the same supineness marks American toleration of this lateat German outrage as was the case in all previous infractions of American neutrality. There are many rumors ir. circulation both as to what is Germany's object and as to the submarine or submarines themselves, but the most likely solution of the nefarious business is that the German high authorities are in desperate need of giving the people some evidence of success in the only direction in which success is possible. In the face of the succession of reverses the German armies are receiving on land, coupled with the bottling up of their navy (which seems to be reduced to the status of a fishing fleet), and the increasing pressure caused by the Britilh blockade, the shades of gloom are deepening over the country, and the destruction of vessels (neutral or enemy) off the American coast may be designed to create a diversion. The New York Herald takes a remarkably sane and sensible view of the matter by stating that practically the neutrality of the United States has been grossly violated, and that it is the highest duty of the Government to go to any length, to end Prussian warfare in American water* without a day's delay. It is America that must suffer chiefly, and whether the Germans are adopting a policy of desperation or not is quite beside the question. The United States has allowed its President to humiliate the country almost beyond rehabilitation, and unless she makes use of this one last chance of upholding the unwritten laws of humanity, civilisation and freedom her prestige will be for ever a thing of straw. Britain and her Alii,'.'! are no more likely to be influenced in their conduct of the war by such theatrical piracy as the Germans are now perpotrating than they were by tho Channel raids. Already the Cunard, French, and Italian lines have declared that the submarines will not affect their sailings. The raiders may have a triumph of a sort, but it will be shortlived, and Germany would bo well advised to realise that these outrages onl/ , inspire the Allies with increasing determination to achieve such a final victory that Germany will be little but a nam'? for many years to come.