Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-10-12

The Age says editorially:
There is little common sense to be discerned in the
federal cabinets decision to perseyere with the rep
resentatiUn Of the commonwealth at the Panama Ex-
hibition. The three eastern states supposed 10
be willing TO continue In the enterprise; but as
South Australia Tasmania and Western Australia
have very wisely withdrawn in consequence Of the
is evident that the project has already failed
IN its essential national objective. The prime minis
ter considers apparently that ought TO see the
matter through.y IN -'order TO keep faith with the
American people The idea viii appeal to most
Australians as painfully strained conception Of
decidedly nebulous obligation. The faith of the
onwealth has assuredly. not BEEN pledged to
America defnitely than the faith Of the belig-
reproach for abandoning active participation in
Americas big show. Nor have they though At to
make apologies. The fact is the war Icuses them.
and II excuses US; for Australia - undoubtedly 2
belltgerent dominion. and we have too many vital
uses for the money spend 100000, or even thirty
thousand pence trivial attempt to bolster up an
exhibition which Is manfestly doomed to become
lamentable hasco. Throughout Australia, through
out the whole British Empire indeed, there is pass
ing current wave Of subdued but generous indigna-
ties as a neutral power. No Briton eyeF asked OF
wanted the United States to intervene with arms In
the European conflict against Germany. but IN com,
mon with civilized mankind we certainly expected
and required America rgidly to respect the spirit
and the letter Of the laws Of neutrality which she
helped 20 frame, and to which she voluntarily SUD
scribed at the last Hague conference Al the very
outset Of the war; however, her first act-after de-
clsrInr her Intention to remain strictly neutral
was 10 propose shipping law which. II enacted
would have most effectively stersed the Efforts OF
Britain 10 diminish the lighting strength OF her
enemy BY enabling the maritime commerce OF Ger
many to be carried on under cover Of the american
at II a true that Briains protest availed to cause
America to desist from her astonishing desien
Nevertheless we had not to wait for fresh tesumony
OF her selfseekng indifference to her moral ana nei
legal obligations.
without the shadow of jast1excuse, and without
even pleading any justification, Germany had sud-
denly invaded Belgium, state whose neutrality she
had sworn to guarantee inyiolate, and ruthlessly
proceeded to lay the little kingdom waste with sword
and fre. The laws Of war specifically provide for
the punishment Of such monstfous crimes BY en-
titllng other neutral powers to assist the violated
state and should they so elect, without 1orfeltng
she privileges Of their own neutrality AmeFlca
courses were open to her She could have declared
war or she could have notifie0 Germany Of penal
suspension of the usual rights and courteses Of IN
fercourse and In the latter case America might have
GUM witheneans to resist her rassher But America
did nothing except repeat her FORMER declaration Of
neutrality large section of the nation progressed
to Be horrifed but the government folded It's hands
and looked TRANQUILITY on. President wilson was 50
profoundly moved by the records Of Belgiums dread
fnl Suflerings and Cermany's dabolical that gust
Of maukiek sentiment completely OVercame him.
The outer world had expected him to vote : l000e-
0oo or R20O00000 by way Of loan to assist Bel
kium But he knew trick worth two OF that ne
PROMPTLY Initiated movement among American citi-
zens to provide the orphaned infants Of Belgium
monkey -on-a-sfick apiece as q Christmas box But
lnferventionf Oh dear, mol The Americans are
business nation. They must not offenuche custo-
Germany which they still hope 70 collect when the
war IL over And such are the people on whom MT.
Fisher would have as waste 100000 In oruer g
keep faith with