New-York tribune., 1914-11-05
EX-Diplomat Sees Wilson
Neutrality Policy as
National Menace.
PROTEST TO KAISER
NEEDED, HE ASSERTS
Makes Statement as He Leaves
for France-Mrs. Whitney
Sails on the Lusitania.

Robert Bacon. the former American
Ambassador 10 France who recently
arrived from that country, saileG for
Paris yesterday via Liverpool on tho
Cunard liner Lusitsnia.
Before his departure Mr.. Bacon gave
out a statement crit.cising the Amer
lean policy of silence in the present
European conflict and asserted that
the administration policy Of neutral
ity is as weak as it is unwise.
he argued that as the United States
was party 10 the agreements OF the
second Hague conference she should
at least make a formal protest against
Germanys violation of Articles | and
II of that convention, which was a
treaty solemnly made and entered into
between this government and Germany
and violated by the latter.
M Bacon said: signs are not
wanting that the people of this coun-
try are unwilling to submit much long
er TO the injunction laid upon them
that our neutrality should impose upon
Us silence regarding aspects Of the
European war with which we have r
vital concern. There are many men
who consnder that this nation is shirk-
ing its duty By maintaining policy
which may be interpreted ar giving
tacit assent 10 acts involving US NOR
ally and much more intimately than
has yet been expressed. These men
believe that we have high responsl-
bility in upholding the treaties which
were signed al the second conference
at The Hague in 1907 and ratified by
the United States and the nations now
st war.
zone of the conventions OF the sec
ond Hague conference was the con-
vention respecting the rights and du-
ties Of neutral powers and persons IN
case Of war on land.
Article ! of that convention reads:
The territory Of nesrral powers is in
violate
Article II Of the same convention
prescribes that 'Belligerents are for
bidden TO move troops or conveys OF
either munitions of war or supplies
across the territory of neutral pow
err
at is undeniable and undenied that
Belgium at the beginning of the pres
ent European war was neutral pow
er and that her neutrality was vio-
lated by Germany. So much is ad
mitted by Germany's official spokes-
man. the Imperial Chancellor, IL his
speech in the Reichstag on August !.
who sought 70 justify the violation
which he spoke Of as wrOng-on the
ground of desperate necessity.
Shows L. :. Responsibility.
with the treaties between England,
France and Germany respecting Bel
gian neutrality we have no diplomatic
but in the Hague conven-
tion referred TO we have real and
intimate concern. That convention was
signed by the delegates from the
United States and ratified by the,
United States government, and 10 was
signed and ratified by Germany, MAX
ing 10 a treaty between Germany and
the United States, IN which the other
ratifying powers were Joined.
"In admittedly violating Articles |
broke a treaty she had solemnly made
and entered into 9TH tho United
States.
Are we to suffer nation TO break a
treaty with US, on whatever preteXt,
protest? VIII any one contend that
our neutrality imposes silence upon us
under such conditions? Are the Hague
10 become scraps Of paper
without single word of protest from
this government?
"If the treaties which we made at
The Hague are to be so lightly re
garded, then why not all our other
treaties? AS a matter Of fact, it is
our solemn duty TO protest against
violation Of pledges formally entered
into between this government and any
other government, and we assume
heavy moral responsibility when we re-
main silent. In this crisis, particularly,
other nations look TO US and never,
perhaps, has our example had greater
force.
"To justify a policy Of silence by the
assertion that we are fortunate in be
ing safely removed from this danger
that threatens European powers and
70 urge that as a reason for us 70 sit
still with hands folded is as weak as
1t is unwise."
Mrs. Whitney Sails.
Also on the ship was Mrs. Harry
Payne Whitney, who is 20 establish a
At4d HOSp4ldl anu dIIblldllNt otiNiCt 70
cooperate with the American Hospital
in Paris She was accompanied by
eight surgeons and eighteen nurses.
Mrs Whitney had shipped to Europe
the motor ambulances and medical sup
plies and hospital clothing for about
5000 patients.
Mrs Whitelaw Reid sailed on the
Lusitania to join her daughter, the
- II u
charge of the English Belgian relief
fund.
c. Haddon Chambers, the playwright,
who was recently stricken with an at
tack of appendicitis, returned hurriedly
20 London to consult with his ply
sician OF the advisability Of an oper-
alton. He was i'll yesterday when he
boarded the ship.
The Lusitania carried $50 saloon pas
sengers, which is a good list for this
season.