That the ruthless submarine war which is being waged by Germany against the Allies is likely to lead to the Reich becoming involved with the neutral powers is evidenced by the fact that the Nazi propaganda machine is wildly endeavouring still {o pin responsibility for the sinkings upon some malevolent British scheme to bring about such an embroilment. It may be shortly said that such a development would mot be worth the price which Great Britain would be paying in the loss of shipping, not only of her own, but that of the neutrals which have been carrying on a perfectly proper trade with her. Nor would it be necessary, as it is suggested in Berlin, to embark upon any such foolish course of action to justify reprisals. Herr Hitler and his góvernment have already done sufficient to justify the completest reprisals possible, and, if, in the past, Great Britain and France have refrained from taking full advantage of their favourable situation to bring about almost a complete stoppage of Germany's external economy, it is precisely because of the same reluctance to do so which was exhibited in the last war. If there is any criticism of the Allies to be made in this connection it is that up to the present they have failed to face the exigencies of war with the same brutal reality which has characterized the Hitlerian approach to them. That this is being forced home upon them is one of the happier aspects of a sad state of affairs. The state of indignation, which has been created in Great Britain, and France, will in the long run prove worth many such Allied vessels as have been lost over the week end, and psychologically the Germans have committed another of those blunders with which the last war was replete. With regard to the neutrals they are being brought to a realization that the wild men of Germany are completely reckless and devoid of any consideration for their undoubted rights, caring not whom they may hurt so long as they damage someone.
The German falsehoods over the sinking of the Athenia, the stupid farce perpetrated by the German high command in connection with the Iroquois, the manifestly untrue claims of successes which they have not gained, and the general issue of lies, which Dr. Goebbels' and his ministry have been industriously weaving, have all been grossly overdone, and the attempt to blame these latest sinkings on the British will fail just as completely as have their other attempts. Of the sixteen ships which have been sunk neutrals have been heavily represented. Both Italy and Japan, partners of that strange confection the Rome-Berlin-Tokyo axis, have seen themselves betrayed, and now can witness their shipping being attacked, not as if they were still friends, not as if they were neutrals, but as if they were enemies. Obviously the idea is to endeavour to terrify neutrals from trading with the Allies, and if it could be done lawfully would be a perfectly proper answer to the Allied system of economic control. But it cannot be done in accordance with the dictates of international law, amd, international law being no more to Her Hitler than any other scrap of paper, it has to be ignored. The sinking of the Italian vessel Grazia, and later of the Japanese ship Terukuni is ample proof of the criminality which inspires Herr Hitler and his accomplices, and, if the course is persevered in, would undoubtedly justify those nations in taking whatever action they might deem appropriate to reimburse ther selves for the losses which are being inflicted upon them. There are in the ports of both nations German vessels seeking refuge from the Allied fleets, excellent might be necessary to recoup her for future losses there will be none to deny her the justice of such a proceeding. Indeed if every neutral power similarly placed adopted the same procedure the German navy would Soon wipe out the German mercantile marine.
The seizure of all German exports on the high seas, which Mr. Chamberlain has announced in the House of Commons has been ordered, is perfectly justifiable. Economic control to be complete should prevent the importation of contraband of war on the one hand, and the export of goods, wherewith to secure exchange, on the other, Obviously, if exchange is contraband, and there is plenty of authority for saying that it is, then that for which it can be obtained is equally contraband and liable to seizure, The complete stoppage of all German trade no matter in what bottoms it is carried is the readiest answer to the illegalities with which Herr Hitler is seeking to prosecute this war. It is of little avail for him to utter nonsense about the Allied war upon women and children, when he does not hesitate callously to condemn such, regardless of whether they are enemies or neutrals, to swift and sudden death by torpedo or mine, heedless of whether there are means at hand to ensure their safety, one of the humane provisions of international law. Mr. Chamberlain's condemnation of German behaviour when announcing the proposed retaliation was studied in its moderation. As recently as September 17 Herr Hitler announced his intention of observing the provisions of the Hague Convention. That assurance has proved just as worthless as many of his others, and while the Allies will do all in their power to remain loyal to the provisions of that Convention, it has to be realized that Herr Hitler has decided upon war à outrance, and within the limits of that document, it is the duty of the Allies to see that he gets it in full. Outrage must be met with reprisal whatever Herr Hitler tenders must be repaid in kind, but even then the well-known moderation of the Allies, as proved in the last war, may safely be reckoned upon to prevent them from adopting the evil courses which the head of the Nazi regime has so eagerly followed.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.