The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-08-23
BY THOMAS o. MONK.

BY THOMAS o. MONK.
Sir" said Baron de Nolken, the
Swedish ambassador al St James. 10
John Adams, Il take IL for granted that
you will have sense enough to see US in
Europe cut each others threats with
| philosophical tranquility"
Thus wrote John Adams in 17s4 as rep
resenting A remark made to him by the
| baron during a visit of the latter to Mr..
I Adams in London at the time that peace
| was made between Russia and the porte,
and a treaty between England and Hol-
land was soon TO be signed.
From Washington and John Adams
down there appears to be complete
unanimity of opinion among our states
men as to the United States keeping out
of European affairs, and as a result to-
day the United States, in the face of the
most stupendous armed conflict that has
ever threatened humanity, has nothing to
fear and must only suffer the physical
Inconvenience and commercial losses,
great as they may be, caused by this
upheavaL
Our forefa Tiers wisely saw the conse-
quences that might result from interfer-
ence in European or foreign affairs and
Of the Importance OF our observing an
absolute neutrality in order in retain
the advantage that our isolation naturally
gives US.
Laid Groundwork for Policy.
Washington, Adams. jefferson and
others laid the groundwork for policy
that now seems ALMOST prophetic TO allow
us to pursue our way without becoming
entangled.
Nothing but our infiexibIe neutrality
can preserve u.s." wrote John Adams in
1909 The public negotiations and secret
intrigues of the English and the French
have been employed for centuries in
every court and country of Europe. Look
back to the history Of Spain, Holland
Germany, Russia, Sweden, Denmark,
Prussia Italy, and Turkey for the last
hundred years. How many revolutions
have been caused? How many emperors
and kings have fallen victims to the
alternate triumphs Of parties excited by
Englishmen or Frenchmen? And can, We
expect to escape the vigilant attention of
politicians so experienced, SO keen-sight-
ed, and so rich? II we convince them
that our attachment to neutrality is I'M
changeable. they will let us alone. but
as long as a hope remains in either power
of seducing us TO engage in war on his
side and against his enemy, we shall be
torn and convulsed by these maneuvers.
Washington, in his farewell address, In
warning against foreign entanglements
and alliances, epitomiZed the situation
thus:
Europe has a set of primary interests
which to US have none or very remote
relation. Hence she must be engaged in
frequent controversies, the causes OF
which are essentially foreign to our con-
Germs. Hence, therefore, 1t must be
unwise in us to implicate ourselves by
a.. Inn r2niG ind e
of her politics or the ordinary combina-
lions and collisions of her friendships
or enmities. Our detached and distant
situation invites and enable US to pursue
a different course"
"Nations OF Eternal War
Thomas Jefferson, as Secretary of
State, in a letter to President Monroe
in June, 1923, in connection with pro-
posal by Mr.. Canning for the settlement
of difficulties between Spain and her
colonies, referring to Europe, thus plainly
gave his opinion:
They are nations of eternal -7ar All
their energies are expended in the de-
struction of the labor, property and lives
of their people. On our part never had
a people so favorable a chance of try
ing the opposite system of peace and fra
ternity with mankind. and the direction
of all our means and faculties to the
purposes Of Improvement instead Of de-
struction." -
Separated as We are from Europe by
the great Atlantic Ocean" said President
Monroe in his message to Congress in De-
cember, 1924 I'VE can have no concern in
the wars of the European governments
nor the causes which produce them. The
balance of power between them. into
whichever scale IL may turn in Its vari-
Gus vibrations, cannot affect US. 1t is the
interest of the United States to preserve
the most friendly relations with every
power and on conditions fair, equal, and
applicable to ALL
Secretary of State Martin Van Buren,.
Gfterward President, in unmistakable