The National Sailors' and Firemen's Union has, we think, done
a public service in bolding an International Conference of Seafarers to consider the crimes of the enemy submarine commanders. The Germans at sea have shown a persistent inhumanity that is a new and evil portent in naval warfare, and the sailors have no intention of forgetting and forgiving their cruelties. Of course, when Mr. Havelock Wilson and his Union announce that they will not permit Pacificista to go to Stockholm, they are usurping the functions of the Government. But though we know that theyare wrong in principle, we cannot but admire the patriotic spirit with which they state their determination to make the enemy, and all who sympathize with him, suffer for his abominable acts. Sailors as a rule are very tolerant men, but they will not tamely suffer the outrages com- mitted by the submarine officers not merely on unarmed ships but on unarmed men adrift in boats. It will, we are sure, be a very long time before any German sailor ships in a British or Allied vessel
Previous page
