Omaha daily bee., 1914-12-14
The Sale of Arms
Springfield Clrass.l lsvubI,e.u fiud.,


taken ~ Senator Hitchcock Of Nebraska, WHO has
introduced a bill forbiddng the shipment from the
United States OF or ammunition to be used
against countries with which this nation is peace
He says;
"our nation stands for peace and t seems to me
outrageous that should be running powder
factories and gun works night and day to furnish
means for carrying on the present war. Those who
are making money out Of this traffic will. Of
object to this BILL but else ought to- Two years
ago we authorized the president 70 prohibit the ex-
portation Of arms and ammunition 10 Mexico because
we did not feel that this country should help to con-
tinue the there. As matter OF fact our govern
ment owns at the present time than 10000 Krag
Jorgenson rifles better than some OF the arms now
possessed by European nations. We have dcarded
them because the army has better weapon. Several
OF the European nations would like TO buy them, and
undoubtedly Uncle Sam could get handsome figure
for them and the treasury Of the United states would
be very much benefited But would propose
such outrageous breach of the laws of neutrality
for the benefit OF the whole people Of the United
states. Ny bill TO this law Of neutral
ity little further and 70 forbid to individuals that
which is already unlawful for the government"
II such measure would indeed make for peace
IL would deserve the support But would It?
Let consider the effect OF general practice OF
forbdding the sale of to countries at war. Is
It not obvious that the tendency Of such rule would
be TO put enormous premium great ornaments?
How could the most pacific nation take the first step
toward the reduction OF outlay for weapons IL It
that after the outbreak OF it could purchase
munitions OF war?
n such a rule were general and the most mill
taristic states would be only too glad to help the
United States make II any aggressive power would
have at its mercy lehs. weprepared power which IL
proposed attack without plenty OF muskets, cart
ridges cannon, supplies OF all kinds, prolonged re-
sistance would be impossible The only hope OF q
nonmilitaristc state thus taken at disadvantage
lies in quickly purchasing abroad at any cost the
supplies necessary to its reserves The abrogn-
ton OF this we'll established privilege would be
not In behalf Of peace. but measure TO
strengthen the most warlike states in program III
conquest II will seldom happen that the state which
has brought war will need to purchase abroad;
its purchases viii have been made before the out
break of the for which Il has secretly prepared
and for which II has chosen the moment II the sale
Of the munitions of Is to be forbidden let 1t
rather be in time of peace, for Is then that the
agents Of beicose powers are abroad laying in sup
plies for the coming coup. To forbid such sale
after war has begun IL not to favor peace, but to
play directly into the hands Of those warke nations
which go armed to the teeth.
What could well be more TO the taste of the huge
international interests which deal in than
proposal OF this sort? II would that every
ton must every instant be armed for concev-
able contingency that there must be gun for every
and ammunition enough for war Of any dura-
ton. Just country in the world has been armed
to that point Germany alone ready when the
hour struck. Yet such n standard OF readiness so
far as the vast accumulation OF arms and arnmuni-
ton concerned, would be forced every nation
II Senator Hitchcocks theories carried into gem
eral effect In such matter II is impossible to be
neutral To refuse TO sell favors the most
which dares TO take step toward disarmament
Yet though In almost every case side must be
favored. that IL in the very nature OF things aud
gives cause for complaint, provided consistent
rule Is followed.
Can ask which side the Influence OF the
United States should be cast7 The principle laid down
by Senator Hitchcock would favor not peace but
Kruppism So far from being rebuke to war; it
would be a rebuke to the nation wnicn had not pre-
pared for And under certain conditions It might
be like refusing to lend weapon to peaceful man
beset by thieves. Let not be deceived by superb
clal aspects In the long run II will not be the
seeking nations which need to buy abroad
after the guns have begun to shoot.