MONDAY, MARCH 6, 1916. THE PRESIDENT USES THE BIG STICK

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2712, 6 March 1916, Page 4

MONDAY, MARCH 6, 1916. THE PRESIDENT USES THE BIG STICK

— : —_ While it cannot be said that President Wilson's policy and actions since the outbreak of war liavo added to his own reputation or that of his country in the eyes of the world, his latest effort certainly must command respect. In the earlier stages of the controversy with Germany regarding submarine outrages at sea threatening the lives of American citizens travelling on merchant ships, Pkesident Wilson refused to entertain a proposal that Americans should confine their travelling to certain vessels i which, under specified conditions, I the Kaiser would graciously permit .a safe passage. The insolent'as--1 sumption by Germany of the right to restrain the liberties and impose limitations on Americans travelling on the high seas was an insult to tho American nation as well as involving a continuance of the violation of International Law, against which tho authorities at Washington had made protest. No doubt the seeming weakness of tho President, and his plain-ly-expressed intention to refuse to allow America to become in any way embroiled in the war encouraged Germany to make- the preposterous proposal. Probably the German Government believed that President Wilson would be glad to take advantage of the loophole it might afford him to escape from the duty of pressing his claims on behalf of the American nation, for the right of its citizens to travel, about their business or pleasure without facing the risk of being murdered by the piratical crew of a German submarine.' It has surprised other people as well as the Germans that President Wilson should have taken so firm a stand in resisting this attempt to place the great American Republic in the mortifying position of receiving _ by favour ox Germany what it had justly claimed as a right. German bribery and intrigue succeeded in creating a position in which tho President,_ fighting for the rights and liberties of American citizens, found h'iniself confronted with an antagonistic Legislature. Congress, instead of supporting the President, was apparently ready to tolerato German insolence, and to yield to the demand that Americans should not travel in merchantmen armed for defence save at their own risk. It was then that President Wilson, faced with the danger of opposition from his own Congress, which, if permitted to have its way, would paralyse his efforts and subordinate the rights of American citizens to German terrorism, appeared at his best. In the thick of his diplomatic struggle with the elusivo and dishonest German Chancellery, he did not hesitate to throw himself determinedly into a struggle with his own Legislature. And he carried tho war right into the camp of Congress. I-Ie demanded that Congress should at onco declare itself in unmistakable terms, and he threatened to use the "big stick," and if necessary carry his caso to tho people. However much many of us may have felt at times that the figure cut by America under the guidance of I President Wilson was unworthy of so great and liberty-loving a nation, few will fail to admire the courage and determination he has shown on tho present occasion, And it would seem that for tba time beirur ho has

thwarted German intrigue which has bacn at work with the members of Congress. The Senate has now hy 68 votes to 14 defeated a- motion warning Americans not to travel on armed liners. This is stated in our cable news from Washington to be regarded as a great _ victory for President Wilson, and it, is. It not only will enable him to pursue tho policy he has laid down in his negotiations with Germany, but it will greatly strengthen his hands. It is a plain intimation to Germany that the President has the people behind him in his demand that the inhuman submarine policy adopted by Germany of sinking merchant vessels at sight, without due regard for the lives of civilian passengers, shall cease. What America asks is reasonable enough. She docs not, and could not, object to the seizure of merchant vessels belonging to enemy countries or those carrying contraband intended for enemy countries, but she insists that such vessels shall not be sunk without warnings and without making proper provision for tho safety of civilian passengers. It now remains to be seen whether Germany will be influenced by the latest development in the United States on this issue.