Grand Forks daily herald., 1914-12-09
JUST KEEPING OUT OF TT.

Every one of the bellserent coun-
tries has made protests to the United
States concerning alleged violations
by their adversaries of the recognized
rules of warfare. These allegations
have dealt with the violation of neu-
trail territory by force. the use of
dum-dum bullets. the sowing of mines
in neutral waters. the use Of neutral
territory for wireless and similar p,r-
poses. the maltrcatmcnt of wounded
prisoners. the abuse of nom combat
ants. attacks on military forces by
'norganized inhabitants. and Il num-
hc' uf other things These protests
nave been made in various forms.
$ciu"iim"* with the request for ac-
ion by the United States. and some
times merely to call tho attention Of
'hc people OF this country to alleged
facts and thereby to create sympathy.
l'' tar the United States is Just
keeping out of it.
50 FAR as VIC know. all the protests
!Hdc t" our government have been
rnuricouslN received and placed on
file. No action has been taken. In
the very nature Of the case no action
could he taken. For one thing, the
s'zc and strength of the contending
parties prohibits Interference. There
Is no cowardcc involved in this. hut
merely q sane recognition of indis-
putabic facts When a man secs in
progress Il fight between small bows.
and thinks he has reason to believe
mat the fight is not being conducted
according to the rules in such case
made and provided. he may, in the in
tcrest of fair play, seize both combat
ants by their respective collars and
hold them while he investigates. if
the fight is between active and Wig
orous men several sizes larger than
nc is. he would be fool to interfere.
because it would be physical impos-
sibIlity for him TO stop the fight. and
ne would probably be badly beaten I'D
In the attempt.
The United States is. in this case.
an .onlooker at a. fight to the death
hetWecn combatants some of whom
are. in military sense. larger and
stronger than itself. We are ant to
boast that ours is the greatest nation
on earth. 1t is a great nation, large
enough and powerful enough for all
practical purposes, and with resources
and possibilities which are unsur-
passed and probably unequaled We
are invincible, so long as we STAY at
hnne and to
II We should depart from that course,
equipped as we are. we should cut a
sorry figure.
Hence, it would be folly for us to
assume the position Of censors of the
war and its methods, for we would
be utterly unable to take any effec.
tive action concerning rules which we
found had been violated, or to en-
force any decisions which we saw Al
TO make. We might pass resolutions
of regret, and that is about as far as
we could go. That would not leave
us in a very dignifed position.
II the nations concerned shou,d
Jointly submit their cases to us and
ask us to act as arbitrators, that
would create different situation,
The time will come when without
question the United States will be ask.
go TO take a prominent part in the
arrangement of peace. and in connec.
tion with those proceedings attention
VIII be paid to all the grayer charge.
Il which have been made, and which re.
main to be made concerning the be.
! hayior Of the various troops. But fol
sse time being We must keep hands
4 % long g there Is no interference
nth ourselves or those who naturally
lssolc 70 ~ for protection. The wal
I = ~ MT ! parIor game, but !