The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-08-23
FOrefatherS SaW Wisdom Of
u. S. Maintaining Neutrality
From Washington and Adams Down American States
men Haze Alpays Avoided EntaHgLementS, While
Being Ready TO Tender Good Offices for Peace.

language in instructions sent to the Min
lister TO Columbia, in 1879. outlined what
neutrality meant so far as this govern
ment was concerned. He said:
AN invariable and strict neutrality be-
tween belligerents and an entire absti-
hence from all interference in the con-
Germs Of other nations are cardinal traits
OF the foreign policy of this government
The obligatory character OF this policy
Ia regarded by its constituents with D.
! gree OF reverence and submission, but lit
tie, IL anything. short of that which Is
entertained for the Constitution itself.
To enable II to preserve the one, We have
penal laws which subict to the severest
punishment all attempts within the scope
of their authority. to aid or abet either
party in a war prosecuted between for
eign nations and with which the United
States are at peace; and il is made a
standing instruction TO our ministers
abroad to observe the other with scrupu-
lous fidelity
PrrccdPnts for Mediation.
President Fillmore in a message to
Congress in December. 1851. said:
In proclaiming and adherIng to the
doctrine OF neutrality and nOninterven-
ton, the United States have not followed
the lead Of other civilized nations: they
have taken the lead themselves and have
been followed by others
Our attitude OF neutrality and nom
Intervention in European affairs appar-
emily will not prevent us from offering
our services 20 bring the war to an end
or to efforts in that direction according
to our presidents. During the Franco
German war. the United States rendered
our good offices. hut with the express
provision that We were to act alone and
not Jointly with other powers. A tele
gram sent by Secretary of State Fish to
Minister Bancroft IN Prussia based on
a telegram from Minister Washburne at
Paris, illustrates our attitude along this
line:
I ''Washburne teIegraphs that France
requests United States to join other pow
ers in effort for peace. Uniform policy
and true interest of United States not to
join European powers in interference in
European questions. President strongly
desires to see war arrested and bless
ings Of peace restored. If Germany also
desires to have good offices of United
States interposed, President will be glad
to contribute all aid in his power to Sc
cure restoration of peace between the
two great powers now at war. and With
whom United States has so many tradi-
lions of friendship. Ascertain II North
Germany desires such offices, but with
out making the tender thereof unless
they will be accepted"
John Bassett Moore. in including this
telegram in his. book on International law,
after reciting the fact that the British
foreign office had also taken the matter
up with Secretary Fish. says:
Would Consider Ii n Duty.
But Mr. washburne had been further
instructed that il France and North
Germany should both ask the good Of
fees and sole mediation of the United
States for the restoration Of peace. the
government would feel it its duty. for
humanity's sake, TO accept the task. Sir
Edward Thornton, the British ambassa-
dor. observed that any durable arrange
ment would hardly be feasible without
consulting the interests of other Euro
pean powers. Mr.. Fish replied that the
United States would not have the slight
est objection to confer with other Euro
pean governments upon the subject: that
1t would, indeed, be absurd to attempt
the establishment of a durable peace
without listening to the expression Of
their views, but that the United States
would be obliged to decline joint off,
cial mediation with European powers
In connection with an invitation from
France to cooperate with the govern
ments OF Paris, London, and Vienna, in
the exercise of "a moral influence with
the Emperor of Russia, with reference to
affairs in Poland" Secretary OF State
Seward, in declining. replied that the
American people must be content to
recommend the cause Of huPan progress
by the wisdom with which they should
exercise the powers of self-government,
forbearing at all times, and in every
way. from foreign alliances, Intervention
and interference"
The Russian-Japanese war, in 1906, was
brought to an end as the result OF the
rendering OF the good Offices of the
United States by President Roosevelt. In
this instance the President in a tele-
gram sent to our minister at st. Peters
burg and at Tokyo, urged "the Russian
and Japanese governments, not only for