The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-11-27
raj territory by beiiigerents, America Ia

trail territory by belligerents, America u
for that reason bound TO enter at least
formal protest against Germany's inva-
sion OF Belgium.
Commenting on this view you seem TO
take the ground that but for the reserva-
I<cn under which the American delegates
signed and the United states Senate rat;-
fed this as well az other conventions OF
The Hague Il would be incumbent on the
United States Government not only to
protest against the invasion but to Join
hands with other signatory Powers In
their efforts to cxpel the invader from
Belgian soil. You also declare that III
Judge Holt were right ii would become
our duty ~ make war on Germany for
precisely the same reason which Great
Britain has declared"
As a matter OF fact the provision Of
the Hague convention quoted by Judge
Holt amounts TO no more than the formal
expression and adoption OF principle OF
International law regarded as well estab-
llshed for a century or longer by Ameri-
can as we'll as other publicists. But It
has never been held. so far as I know.
that a violation OF the principle imposes
upon neutral nations accepting Il the duty
OF also enforcing It. Neither does the
provision OF the Hague convention under
consideration do so: and had America
subscribed TO II without any reservation
whatever Il would not be obliged TO take
up the cudsels for Belgium.
In Its insistence, as disclosed by the
White Paper. that Germany keep out Of
Belgium Great Britain did not rely on
the principle mentioned but upon the
contract she entered into in 1891 with
certain European Powers, including Prus-
sla-the German Empire was then nom
exlstent--guaranteeng the neutrality OF
Belgium, a newly formed and weak state.
Indeed. she could not consistently have
invoked this rule or principle. since In
passing through Portuguese territory she
had disregarded e In order TO get at the
Beers and perhaps she foresaw also that
her Asiatic ally might find II convenient
II not necessary TO violate the territory
of China FOR the seizure OF the district
Germany held under lease from that coun-
try, n task Great Britain had imposed. or
intended TO impose. upon the said ally.
I, may not be amiss to point out here.
though outside OF this discussion, THAI
Great Brltain's declaration OF war on
Germany was not altogether mottved by
her desire TO keep Belgian soil invtclate.
for, as again shown by the White Paper
she declined TO commit herself when
asked by Germany whether she herself
would remain neutral IN the war on con-
dnion that Germany regarded Belg.um's
neutrality.
II would seem then that II Judge Holts
Cd TuE
Sun, heavy responsibilities would oe
added to those Uncle sam has already
incurred by the maintenance OF the Mon
roe Doctrine. Any attempt 10 carry sueh
a view into effect would be an attempt
TO beat down wckedness all over the
world, a manifestly impossible under
taking.
A CONSTANT READER OF THE SUN.
wAsuINGroS, II. G.. November 20.
II the eminent and respected gentle
man who here modestly presents him
self as constant Reader" will look
again at the editorial article which in
one particular he criticises, he Will hnd
! that the extent OF responsibility on the
| part Of the United States was only condi-
tionauy discussed by THE Sun. We
said, III the United States by solemn
compact with the other Powers had
mate nscU responsible for the main
| tenance Of BegAm's neutrality" &c.
/ The supposition Is no longer worth dis
cussing, except accidentally. AS our
esteemed Constant Reader" will have
! seen since he wrote his letter. al ques-
ton as TO the extent OF this nation s
duty of interference or protest, either
with or without the Monroe Doctrine
reservation. is removed by the broad fact
| tat so far as the compact of The Hague
/ is concerned there has been no breach
/ Of treaty faith by Germany. Conven-
I ton v, Respecting the Rights and Du-
! ties OF Neutral Powers and Persons IN
War on Land" expressly provides that
It's prohibitions shall not apply except
between Contracting Powers, and then
only IL all the bell.gerents are parties
to the convention" 1t is a somewhat
/ noteworthy fact that IN this instance the
prohibitions fall because England and
France failed to ratify. although Ger
many. Austria and Russia did ratify.